The Danes have given the world so much.
A charming royal family, world-class social welfare, 'hygge' and the food and philosophy of Noma.
In continuing the tradition of Danes being downright delightful, comes even more benevolence from the Nordic isle with the announcement that Noma chef Rene Redzepi has made the dishwasher of his Michelin-starred restaurant a part-owner.
In a Facebook post, Redzepi introduced the world to his new corporate co-horts, which includes Australian-born manager James Spreadbury and 62-year-old Ali Sonko, who has manned the kitchen sink at the restaurant's Copenhagen headquarters for 14 years.
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"As we close the doors to the old Noma, we also push towards the next rendition. We are almost positive we will open the doors to our new space at the end of this year. But, most importantly, we are here to tell you that Noma in its new edition will have a handful of new partners. It gives me incredible joy to let the world know that our restaurant managers Lau and James, and our dishwasher, Ali, have become partners in Noma," Redzepi said.
He also confirmed a number of other loyal staff will be surprised "with a piece of the walls that they have chosen to work so hard within."
Sonko, a father of 12, moved to Denmark 34 years ago from Gambia and described his job at the eatery as "the best job ever". He previously worked as a farmer.
"I cannot describe how happy I am to work here," Sonko told Danish news outlet BT. "There are the best people to work with and I am good friends with everyone. They show enormous respect towards me and no matter what I say or ask them, they are there for me."
Back in 2010, due to visa issues, Sonko was unable to travel with the Noma team to London to collect the establishment's first best restaurant in the world award from Restaurant magazine. His mates instead wore T-shirts emblazoned with his face to the awards show. When Noma won again in 2012, he was there front and centre and delivered the acceptance speech.
Noma has now closed its famous doors in Denmark and will be reborn as an urban farm in December in the infamous, self-proclaimed autonomous neighbourhood of Christiania.
Redzepi plans to dig up a huge asphalt lot in the city's green and car-free borough before building a new restaurant complete with a greenhouse and a floating field on top of a raft.