Björn Frantzén
Björn Frantzén | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 26, 1977 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, entrepreneur, restaurateur |
| Known for | Operating three restaurants each with three Michelin stars by 2025 |
Björn Frantzén (born 26 January 1977) is a Swedish chef, entrepreneur, and restaurateur. By 2025, he stands as the sole chef globally to operate three distinct restaurants, each honored with three Michelin stars.
Career
Originating from Solna, Stockholm, Frantzén initially pursued football, playing for AIK from 1992 until 1996 before transitioning to the culinary arts. His early culinary experience includes roles at Edsbacka krog, Chez Nico's, Dining Lettonie, Pied à Terre, and L'Arpege.
In 2008, he established Frantzén/Lindeberg, which secured its inaugural Michelin star in 2009 and a second in 2010, retaining two stars through 2016. The venue was ranked 12th in The White Guide's annual list of the top 50 restaurants.
Frantzén also founded Catering Frantzén and Gaston, a prominent wine bar in Stockholm. He spearheaded the "Exceptional Swedish Quality Food" initiative aimed at promoting Swedish raw ingredients on a global scale, collaborating with organizations such as Visit Sweden, LRF, Martin and Servera, Swedish Meat, and the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
Expanding internationally, Frantzén launched Frantzén's Kitchen in Hong Kong in 2016. In mid-2018, he opened the Flying Elk in Hong Kong; however, it closed by late 2019 due to financial difficulties. Later that year, Zén debuted in Singapore featuring his unique "3-floors of eating experience," earning its third Michelin star in 2021.
By summer 2019, Frantzén divested from Stockholm’s The Flying Elk, Corner Club, and Gaston. In spring 2021, Brasserie Astoria was introduced.
In May 2025, FZN in Dubai received three Michelin stars, making Frantzén the only chef worldwide with three separate establishments each holding this distinction.
Frantzén’s global ventures are overseen by Frantzén Group, where he shares ownership with Swedish business magnate Antonia Ax:son Johnson and private equity founder Harald Mix.
Personal life
In July 2016, Frantzén wed his long-time partner.
Media
During August 2012, Frantzén took control of Sweden’s official Twitter account for one week to share culinary insights and interact with followers. In 2014, he appeared as the lead on the cooking reality series Frantzén styr upp broadcast on TV3. That same summer featured his participation in advertising campaigns for Mariestads beer from Spendrups brewery. The documentary Hunger, released by Sveriges Television in 2015 and filmed in 2012, showcased Frantzén alongside Daniel Lindeberg.
Bibliography
- Frantzén, Björn; Lindeberg, Daniel; Kallentoft, Mons (2012). Frantzén/Lindeberg. Norstedts förlag. 320 pages. ISBN 978-91-1-303404-1 (Swedish)
- Frantzén, Björn; Lindeberg, Daniel; Kallentoft, Mons (2013). World-Class Swedish Cooking. Skyhorse Publishing. 320 pages. ISBN 978-1620877357 (English)
- Frantzén, Björn (2014). Glöd med Björn Frantzén. Albert Bonniers förlag. 159 pages. ISBN 978-9174244168 (Swedish)
- Frantzén, Björn (2016). The Flying Elk: gastropub by Björn Frantzén. Norstedts förlag. 283 pages. ISBN 9789113075105 (Swedish)
- Frantzén, Björn; Frantzén, Sara (2017). Björn Frantzén lagar mat för sugna diabetiker och annat folk. Norstedts förlag. 155 pages. ISBN 978-91-1-307511-2 (Swedish)
- Frantzén, Björn; Jernmark, Marcus; Benitez, Charles; Kroon, Mattias (2020). Frantzén. Norstedts förlag. 385 pages. ISBN 978-91-1-309718-3 (English)
Awards
The following table lists distinguished honors received by Frantzén’s establishments:
| No. | Name | Country | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frantzén (Stockholm) |  Sweden
|
Template:Michelinstar |
| 2 | Zén (Singapore) |  Singapore
|
Template:Michelinstar |
| 3 | FZN (Dubai) | Template:Country data UAE | Template:Michelinstar |
- OAD: Ranked #1 Restaurant in Europe
- Positioned as the 12th best globally in the Restaurant magazine's The World's 50 Best Restaurants list of 2013
- Named Sweden's top restaurant in both 2011 and 2012 by The White Guide
- Awarded Sweden's finest cuisine recognition in 2010 by The White Guide
- Received Chefs Pub and Chef of Chefs accolades in 2013 from Restaurant World
- Honored with Gulddraken Luxury and AA Gill's Guest Drake awards in 2013 by DN