1972
Gert grew up in a small fishing village on a island south of the city of Aalesund, on the west coast of Norway, in a family of fishermen, butchers and sailors, with a family history stemming all the way back to the Viking era.
Gert’s Hometown has 53 Viking mounds, and even a Viking ship (found in 1920, dated back to the year 690 ) that carries Gert’s family’s last name, The Kvalsund Ship (which is also featured in the Logo of Saga Viking Tours)
The Kvalsund Ship (found in 1920, dated back to the year 690)
1994
After attending culinary school, starting at the age of 16, Gert became a certified Chef by the age of 19, working as an apprentice at Alexandra Hotel in Molde, Norway. He stayed at Alexandra Hotel for 5 years, working his way up to becoming a Chef.
In 1994 Gert was recruited to cook for the IOC board members, Royals and other Heads of State during the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, at Lillehammer Hotel.
Lillehammer Hotel (1994)
1995
In 1995, Gert was recruited by Hilton Hotels International, and moved to Las Vegas to start working at the Flamingo Hilton in Las Vegas.
During the 12 years at the Flamingo Las Vegas, Gert was responsible for operations of 12 Restaurants, 220 Cooks, 24 Chefs serving an average of 20000 meals per day. Gert was instrumental in opening several restaurants at the Flamingo, including Paradise Garden Buffet in 1995, Conrad’s Steakhouse in 1997, Ventuno Italian fine dining and Pink Ginger Pan-Asian restaurant in 2001 and Margaritaville in 2004.
Gert was Chef of the month in Las Vegas Review-Journal in December 1999
Gert’s Key Role
Rem Offshore ASA
In 2006 Gert got recruited by Rem Offshore ASA, from Norway, a offshore company specializing in sub-sea operations, worldwide. Gert’s primary role was to design, oversee construction, purchase inventory, set-up and opening of several Multi-purpose offshore vessels, M/V Rem Etive in 2007, M/V Rem Clough and M/V Rem
2006
Forza in 2008
Gert’s Dual Expertise
Norsk Høstfest
Gert also frequently travels to Minot, ND. to cook as a Celebrity Chef for Norsk Høstfest, the largest Scandinavian festival outside of Scandinavia with more than 60000 visitors in a 4 day period.
2008
Chef for Norsk Høstfest
Family
Balancing Fatherhood and Ambition
After a family separation in 2010, Gert became a single dad to his now 20 year old son Alexander, and the idea of starting his own business got its beginning, being able to be available at all times for all the needs a child have, the dream of SAGA Pastry + Sandwich became a defined goal.
2008
Saga Pastry + Sandwich
Founding Award-Winning SAGA Pastry + Sandwich
Saga Pastry + Sandwich opened in December 2018 as the first and only Scandinavian Café in the valley. Since day one Saga have been getting numerous press reviews and awards, Desert Companion’s “Hidden Gem Award” “Best New Las Vegas Restaurant 2019”, “Best Waffle 2019, 2020 and 2021 in Best of Las Vegas LVRJ”, “Best Intro to Scandinavian Food”, “Top 3 Best Waffles in Las Vegas”, “Sweet Favorite in Henderson”. Introducing New Nordic food and the Nordic Diet to the community buy serving food with “Real” Ingredients focusing on a healthier dining option. Saga is best know for the most amazing Nordic Waffles, A Wild Caught Arctic Shrimp Sandwich that takes Shrimps to a whole new level.
2019-2022
Saga Pastry + Sandwich location in Las Vegas
Saga have had several fundraisers for the community and working very close with St Rose Hospital Rose Bud Auxiliary for their Cardiac department, in addition to raising funds and food donations for Three Square Food Bank. The art for sale at Saga is supporting local artists and proceeds for art sales goes to another Non-Profit organization called Awareness is Prevention that fights Trafficking of Girls under the age of 18. Saga is also a strong supporter of local Scandinavian organizations like Sons of Norway and SWEA (Swedish Women Educational Association).
Saga Pastry + Sandwich closed in June 2022.
Saga Viking Tours
Founding Saga
Viking Tours
In 2023 Gert started to work on his current venture, Saga Viking Tours.
Saga Viking Tours is a DMC (Destination Management Company) that specializes in Food focused travels to Norway, where he has the opportunity to show off the beauty of Norway, immerse in the culture while experiencing the best Norway has to offer in food, drinks, hotels and scenery, truly tasting the culture of Norway.
“We want You to experience
Norway – Your Way”
Gert Kvalsund
Founder
Saga Viking Tours create customized bespoke itineraries based on the customers wants and needs, with a strong focus on experiencing the best food made by the best chefs of Norway, we visit Michelin Star Restaurants, Bocuse ‘d Or award winning chefs, attend cooking classes, Best Bar in the World (Himkok), we go foraging and deep se fishing, we travel through Norwegian Fjords and farmland, enjoying the bounty and quality of Norwegian Fruits, Berries, Vegetables, Dairy products, charcuterie, ciders, beers and spirits.
We visit the most sought after landmarks in Norway, we experience Viking culture and Viking foods, while staying in the best hotels and travel as sustainable as possible, aiming to make your visit to Norway a unforgettable memory, unique and a once-in-a-lifetime vacation.
Questionnaire
Personal Background
Amanda Bright
Interviewer
Briefly introduce yourself. What’s your name and where are you from?
Hi, I’m Gert Kvalsund, and I am from Moltustranda Norway.
Gert Kvalsund
Founder
Amanda Bright
Interviewer
Tell us something about you that you want others to know.
I’ve always been passionate about my home country Norway, and in my years as a Chef in the US, I have always showcased the food and technique’s of Norwegian cuisine in my restaurants. I have resided in Las Vegas for 30 years. I lived in Norway until I was 22 years old.
Gert Kvalsund
Founder
Amanda Bright
Interviewer
Tell us about your connection to Norway. How did you fall in love with this country, and what inspired you to create Saga Viking Tours?
Being born in Norway, the food and culture is in my blood, and after so many years showcasing Norway through food, I now have the opportunity to show my customers the real Norway, experiencing Norway through sight, sound, smell, taste and feel with Saga Viking Tours.
Gert Kvalsund
Founder
Amanda Bright
Interviewer
How does the Viking spirit influence your approach to curating tours?
Vikings were known as travelers and explorers, which explains my passion for traveling. My knowledge of Norway, growing up there, my knowledge of foods in Norway (Norwegian Chef), my vast network of Norwegian Chef’s and operators allows a unique inside and behind the scenes experience for my customers to places and experiences not offered by traditional operators. I personally travel with my groups, allowing me to share my story, telling other peoples stories, offering a unique and personalized inside perspective to the places we visit in Norway.
Gert Kvalsund
Founder
Amanda Bright
Interviewer
What are your favorite aspects of Norway that you love to share with visitors?
The ever-changing landscape, the beauty of what lays behind the next turn, the food, the fresh seafood, fish, crab, lobster, cheeses, fruits, berries, vegetables, unique beverages, Norway is a treasure chest of the highest quality ingredients? What hidden gems do you enjoy introducing to your guests? The uniqueness of local foods, and how it changes throughout the country.
Gert Kvalsund
Founder
Amanda Bright
Interviewer
Food is a key part of the Norwegian experience. What are some must-try dishes and culinary experiences you incorporate into your tours?
Anything with fresh seafood and shellfish, but also the use of old techniques, such as curing, drying, fermenting. But the true gems is what you find while traveling, such as Strawberries in season in Valldal, Plums and Morels in season around the Hardangerfjord, Apples in season in Sognefjord and Nordfjord, but also fresh caught Crab, Lobster and Langoustines from the coast, deep sea fishing in the North sea, as well as cheeses and charcuterie from the mountains and valleys.
Gert Kvalsund
Founder
Amanda Bright
Interviewer
Share a personal anecdote or a defining moment that shaped your passion for Norway and tour guiding.
In my 30 years in the US I have always had friends and customers asking me about Norway, and what to do there, I’ve written countless itineraries based on what they would like to see, many have Norwegian ancestors they want to visit, but don’t know how or where to go, by creating Saga Viking Tours, it allows me to bring my customers to Norway, experiencing Norway their way, finding relatives, going to places where their families came from, connect them with their ancestors and relatives, while experiencing the culture and people of Norway, one bite at a time creating lifelong memories and connections.
Gert Kvalsund
Founder
Amanda Bright
Interviewer
What excites you most about the future of Saga Viking Tours? Are there any new tour ideas or destinations you’re considering?
As Saga Viking Tours grows, it allows me to connect so many more customers with Norway, allowing me to share the beauty of my homeland with more and more people. Next steps for Saga Viking Tours are to expand our offerings of places to visit in Norway, allowing us to be more versatile for our customers, bringing them back for new adventures in Norway. We are also expanding more on Northern Lights travels, Coolcations for those that wants to escape the heat in the summers, we are also creating more of a Nordic food focused travel experience, including Copenhagen, Stockholm, Faroe Islands and Iceland. We are also working on Saga Viking Tours – USA where we bring Scandinavian Tourists to the west coast of the US to experience the beauty of the West Coast, to include Las Vegas, Zion National Park, Grand Canyon, Palm Springs, San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara/Solvang, Monterey, San Francisco and Napa Valley.
Gert Kvalsund
Founder
6.
Future Vision
What excites you most about the future of Saga Viking Tours? Are there any new tour ideas or destinations you’re considering?
As Saga Viking Tours grows, it allows me to connect so many more customers with Norway, allowing me to share the beauty of my homeland with more and more people. Next steps for Saga Viking Tours are to expand our offerings of places to visit in Norway, allowing us to be more versatile for our customers, bringing them back for new adventures in Norway. We are also expanding more on Northern Lights travels, Coolcations for those that wants to escape the heat in the summers, we are also creating more of a Nordic food focused travel experience, including Copenhagen, Stockholm, Faroe Islands and Iceland. We are also working on Saga Viking Tours - USA where we bring Scandinavian Tourists to the west coast of the US to experience the beauty of the West Coast, to include Las Vegas, Zion National Park, Grand Canyon, Palm Springs, San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara/Solvang, Monterey, San Francisco and Napa Valley