Gastronomic entrepreneur becomes CBS Distinguished Alum

Claus Meyer did not just study at and get his degree from CBS; he also started his gastronomic career there. While studying, he established his first of what have become many companies, Torvekøkkenet, which handled the canteen operations in Dalgas Have at Handelshøjskolen.

This year, the educational institution where his entire gastronomic business adventure began, honours him. On CBS Alumni Day on 19 May, Claus Meyer will add ‘CBS Distinguished Alumnus’ to the impressive list of titles he already has, and will present a lecture to his fellow alumni in CBS’ largest lecture hall.

The Distinguished Alumnus himself was happy and proud to receive the nomination and looks forward to the day: “It is a great recognition to receive. It gives a feeling that the ring is closed,” says Claus Meyer to CBS Alumni.

Will honour and highlight beacons among alumni

He is not the first Distinguished Alum at CBS, as that honour was bestowed upon Andreas Nicolaisen in 2014. But with the appointment of Meyer in the centenary year, CBS makes the appointment of distinguished alumni a tradition – not appointments with a specific frequency, but when a name becomes so obvious and the person meets the criteria to such a full extent that the appointment becomes self-evident.

There are many good reasons that CBS has begun selecting and honouring distinguished alumni:

- CBS is not merely an educational institution, but also a place of formation. We have appointed honorary doctors for many years, and every year we even honour employees and students who have made special efforts. We honour them because they are good examples that we all should be inspired by, says President Per Holten-Andersen and continues:

- The product, if you will call it that, that we are most proud of at CBS, is our approximately 85,000 alumni. The people who have received their degree from here and later on put what they have learned to use in business and society. Among them, there are special beacons who we would like to display and honour more systematically.

An impressive career is not enough in itself

It is not enough to have graduated from CBS and made a fine career for oneself. To be considered for the CBS Distinguished Alumni award, alumni must meet three criteria:

- They must have done well and done something meaningful in their career following graduation – and this is not something we necessarily measure in size of income or titles. Furthermore, they must – besides their professional efforts – have contributed noticeably to society. And finally, they must have been involved in and contributed to CBS since their graduation, explains Per Holten-Andersen.

Role model far beyond the Danish borders

Claus Meyer lives up to all criteria in full, according to President Per Holten-Andersen, in short: he really deserves to be named distinguished alumnus:

- Claus has had a remarkable career. He has built not one, but many companies and created many jobs. With food and cooking as his primary platform he has shown a commitment to society, and at times to society’s weakest, and furthermore he is one of the architects of the world famous New Nordic Kitchen. 

- Finally, is he very much a product of CBS. His work life’s adventure began at CBS, he has stayed involved and engaged through the years, and today he is an adjunct professor here. I do not think you can become a better role model than that.

Claus Meyer will, in addition to receiving the award of Distinguished Alumnus, be one of the seven speakers at the centenary year’s big Alumni Day event on Friday, 19 May.

See Claus Meyer's alumnus portrait on CBS'  centennial website

See Claus Meyer's full CV on Meyers' website

Read more and register for Alumni Day 2017