Artem Chudnenko — Chef at Restaurant Soma

At 18, Artem moved from Minsk to St. Petersburg to pursue a career as a punk musician. Two years later, after working in various fields, he found a continuation of his creativity in gastronomy. His path to his calling began at project Cococo.
The first restaurant where Artem worked as a chef in his own right was St. Petersburg's Sight. Then came Moscow's Alice and Insider.
Now the chef is working to expand his stylistic boundaries at restaurant Soma. The main directions Artem follows in his work: fermentation in every possible form, special attention to forgotten and little-known ingredients, and a precise sense of measure. Artem has invested heavily in his own development and has visited the legendary idol-restaurants of Copenhagen and Stockholm. The chef mixes styles and puts the emphasis on local products, especially those that, for some unclear reason, have been disappearing from restaurant menus: beef tongue, celery root, pearl barley... Varied, vivid, yet comforting food that evokes warm feelings and sometimes a pleasant surprise — that's exactly what he's aiming for on the menu.

Quotes from the menu: 

Roasted cabbage with potato mousse and miso sauce (630 ₽);
Dorado with ginger and horseradish sauce (620 ₽);
Crispy eggplant with eel mousse (800 ₽);
Multigrain porridge with cauliflower and mushroom cream (720 ₽);
Tomato soup with osso buco and wild garlic (730 ₽);
Beef tongue with roasted romaine, pepper sauce, and sour cream (850 r.);
Duck breast with celery purée, apple, and mustard sauce (950 ₽)

About Soma:

A restaurant in a historic location in the center of Moscow, whose menu pairs straightforward "everyday" dishes with signature, non-obvious combinations. The project's core directions: food, wine, cocktails, art, parties, and an educational program. Soma aims to deliver a well-rounded experience, both culinary and aesthetic.