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Visit Finland highlights the country’s culinary culture with immersive tastings crafted by local chefs and regional customs.
HELSINKI, FINLAND – For the first time in history, a nation is opening its tasting table to the world in an official capacity, inviting everyone to RSVP for a seat at this unprecedented culinary event. Finland, recently crowned the world’s happiest country for the ninth consecutive year according to the UN World Happiness Report, proudly announces its Finland’s Official Tasting Table. This curated, four-day culinary journey will unfold across some of the country’s most breathtaking and scenic locations, from pristine forests and shimmering lakes to charming urban settings. Hosted by passionate Finns behind the local cuisine, the event aims to showcase the richness and diversity of Finnish flavors, traditions, and culinary artistry to an international audience, offering a comprehensive and immersive introduction to Finnish gastronomy.
Finland National Tastings Image: Visit Rovaniemi
Finland is famous for its happiness, but its food culture stayed mostly hidden until now. With Finland’s Official Tasting Table, this culinary tradition is revealed to the world for the first time. People can apply at HaveSomeFinnish.com for a chance to be among 16 guests chosen for two exclusive tastings in the Coast & Archipelago region and Lapland in September 2026.
Each tasting menu is designed by a renowned local chef and showcases the genuine culinary traditions of its region, providing travelers with a taste of what they can discover across Finland.
Regional Flavors, Reimagined by Finland’s Top Chefs
To uncover the roots of Finland’s rich culinary heritage, Visit Finland reached out to everyday Finns—including locals, fishermen, farmers, and cooks—to share their authentic regional flavors and food experiences. Thousands of heartfelt responses poured in, capturing the essence of each area. These stories and tastes were then thoughtfully crafted by the country’s top chefs into Finland’s official tasting menus, celebrating the diverse culinary landscape of the nation.
”Finland is your chance to discover the final great secret of the world’s culinary cultures. Italian, Chinese, even the other Nordic food cultures are already part of the global conversation, while Finnish cuisine remains unknown,” said Heli Jimenez, Senior Director, International Marketing at Business Finland. “In an era where foodies are constantly searching for the next big thing, Finland is exactly that: pure ingredients from local nature, like wild game and fresh fish, and unpretentious, simple recipes.”
A Dinner at the Edge of the World
Finland’s invitation extends beyond food, offering a glimpse into the source of Finnish happiness. Hosted at Finland’s most stunning locations, each dinner links the culinary experience with nature, the four Nordic seasons, and the people who harvest and catch the ingredients. Finland’s Official Tastings provide a curated, multisensory journey that engages flavors, sights, sounds, and atmosphere.
In Finland, cuisine is more than just a setting; it’s an integral part of the experience. Every tasting incorporates the landscape into the menu, where authentic dishes, local place, and regional stories combine to create a memorable and shareable experience.
“Finnish food is a direct expression of the world’s happiest lifestyle: rooted in nature, simplicity, and a deep connection to where ingredients come from. From sauna food rituals to foraging, Finnish cuisine tells a story that exists nowhere else – and we want visitors to experience that story in full,” Jimenez explains.
Finland’s Official Tasting Table: Key Details
- Some Finnish tastings will take place in Finland in September 2026
- One tasting will be held in the Coast and Archipelago region, and the other in Lapland
- The application period begins on May 18 and ends June 9, 2026, at 11:59 AM Finnish time (EEST).
- 8 participants selected per tasting
- Selected participants announced: June 29, 2026
- Apply alone or together with one additional person
- Apply by completing the social media challenge on Instagram or TikTok and signing up for the form on the campaign site. Post a video where you introduce yourself and answer the question: Why do you want to have some Finnish? Use the hashtag #HaveSomeFinnish and tag Visit Finland (@ourfinland on Instagram or @visitfinland.com on TikTok).
Meet the Chefs Shaping the Tasting Experience: Erik Mansikka – The Chef behind the Coast & Archipelago menu
With a wealth of experience in the competitive culinary scene, Erik earned the prestigious Finnish Chef of the Year title in 2013. He is a highly regarded and innovative leader in Finnish gastronomy, passionately committed to showcasing local ingredients through a lens of meticulous craftsmanship and a Nordic fine-dining philosophy that is deeply rooted in the sense of place. His culinary approach consistently emphasizes seasonality, precision, and a profound respect for the ingredients he expertly transforms. As the founder of the acclaimed Restaurant Kaskis in Turku, Erik has established a reputation for excellence, with the restaurant being recognized as one of the finest in Finland.
Kaskis earned a Michelin star in 2022, a significant milestone as it was the first in Finland awarded outside Helsinki. In 2025, the restaurant further distinguished itself by receiving a Michelin Green Star for its sustainability initiatives.
Joel Manninen – The Chef behind the Lapland menu
Chef Joel Manninen exemplifies a new wave of emerging Finnish culinary talent, known for his innovative approach and dedication to culinary excellence. He first gained widespread recognition after triumphing in the Finnish Young Chefs Championship in 2025, showcasing his skill and creativity. His reputation was further cemented on the international stage when he earned a silver medal at the Young Chefs World Championship in 2026, an esteemed event organized by the renowned gastronomic society Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.
His cuisine centers on northern ingredients and a modern Arctic perspective, blending refined technical skill with creativity and a unique personal vision. Recognized for his contemporary take on the North, he operates at the crossroads of flavor, technique, and the Arctic environment that influences his cooking.
Joel serves as Head Chef at Sky Kitchen & View, a scenic restaurant located on Ounasvaara fell in Rovaniemi, part of Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara. It is recognized as one of Finland’s premier dining venues.
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