Anika Madsen began her culinary career at 17, working at a brasserie in Copenhagen before completing her bachelor’s degree at Formel B. She joined the Kadeau group’s Eldorado, where her passion and skill led to a promotion to Souschef. In 2018, Anika became partner and Head Chef at Roxie, a new venture at the five-star Herman K hotel, but the restaurant closed in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Shortly after, her mentor, Claus Meyer, offered her the chance to lead Fasangården, a restored pheasant farm in Copenhagen, where she focused on farm-to-table dining, supporting local producers. Anika’s cooking blended Nordic food traditions with global influences, emphasizing the cooking process and connecting with farmers.

In 2022, Anika and her husband were invited to Norway to lead a new restaurant project on the floating Salmon Eye art installation, resulting in the opening of Iris in June 2023. The restaurant offers a unique six-hour expedition experience in the Norwegian fjords, where the concept revolves around taking guests to the ingredients rather than bringing ingredients to them.