Rooted in Egersund

Our family’s story begins in Egersund, a small coastal town in southwestern Norway known for its rugged shoreline and generations who cooked with fire and simplicity. That’s where Chris’s grandfather was born, long before the Skadberg name found its way to Indiana.

Like many who came to America, our grandparents worked hard to fit in. They built a new life, raised a family, and focused on the future. In the process, some traditions faded — not out of neglect, but out of necessity. Heritage became something quiet, carried more in memories than in recipes.

Growing up, Chris remembers visiting his Norwegian aunt Annemor and uncle Torleiv Melkeraaen every year. They were born in Norway and eventually moved back later in life, becoming the strongest living connection to the old country. Those visits were filled with stories, laughter, and the feeling of being part of something bigger than the place you lived. Norwegian dishes weren’t common in the family — the one tradition that stayed was Norwegian pancakes, made simply and shared with love.

Today, Skadberg Artisan Smoked Meats & Catering honors that heritage in a way that feels true to our family. We don’t pretend to be a traditional Norwegian kitchen. Instead, we carry forward the values our ancestors lived by: simplicity, honesty, and food made with care. When we add touches of Norwegian flavor or mention our roots, it’s not about recreating the past — it’s about acknowledging where our story began.

Carried forward through family, memory, and the way we cook today — that’s our Norwegian story.