Finland Is Inviting Travelers to Sample Its Regional Cuisine—for Free
Finland Is Inviting Travelers to Sample Its Regional Cuisine—for Free [all-expenses-paid, four-day immersion into the flavors]
A land famed for its auroras, steaming saunas, and an almost fairy-tale abundance of lakes is now extending an irresistible invitation: come taste Finland’s food—on the house.
Visit Finland, the nation’s tourism board, has unveiled a sumptuous new culinary campaign, offering a handpicked group of food lovers an all-expenses-paid, four-day immersion into the flavors, stories, and landscapes that define Finnish gastronomy.
Sixteen fortunate guests will be selected this September to take part in Finland’s Official Tasting Table, a uniquely curated dining adventure that celebrates the country’s regional culinary traditions. Travelers may choose between two contrasting itineraries—each a portrait of place rendered through taste, seasonality, and the people who sustain local foodways.
The Coast & Archipelago
Follows the gentle, salt-kissed shores of Finland’s southern coastline and archipelagos: a mosaic of pine-clad isles and timeworn seaside towns along the Baltic, where fishermen, shellfish, and old recipes anchor daily life.
The Lapland Expedition
Ventures far north into Lapland, an Arctic realm of glassy lakes, snow-sculpted horizons, and an ancestral relationship with reindeer, wild berries, and foraged forest fungi.
Eight guests will be chosen for each route. Rather than imposing a single chef’s vision, Visit Finland has invited local voices—fisherfolk, farmers, and home cooks—to help shape the menus, resulting in tasting experiences deeply rooted in place.
The Master Chefs Behind the Menus
Each region’s menu will be crafted by a celebrated Finnish chef, balancing established culinary mastery with brilliant young talent:
Founder of Turku’s acclaimed Restaurant Kaskis, which earned a Michelin star in 2022 and a Michelin Green Star in 2025. His exceptional skill previously earned him Finland’s prestigious Chef of the Year title in 2013.
A rising star who secured the title at the Finnish Young Chefs Championship in 2025 and went on to become a silver medalist at the Young Chefs World Championship. He leads the kitchen at Sky Kitchen & View in Rovaniemi, known for its panoramic Arctic views.
Echoes of the Terrain
Visit Finland has kept the specific courses under wraps, but the organizers promise menus that mirror the surrounding landscapes. Along the coasts and lakes, diners can expect an emphasis on smoked fish, fresh shellfish, starchy potatoes, and robust rye breads—elements that speak directly to maritime and agrarian rhythms.
In Lapland, the plates will foreground traditional ingredients like tender reindeer, Arctic char, a jewel-toned assortment of wild berries, and earthy mushrooms gleaned from the taiga. And no Finnish tasting would be complete without coffee: Finland’s world-class coffee culture—consistently ranking among the highest per capita globally—suggests that fragrant brews and cardamom-kissed pastries will anchor the sensory experience.
Placing Food in Context
Beyond the plates, the Official Tasting Table aims to convey the deeply grounded Finnish way of life through a holistic itinerary:
- Traditional Sauna Sessions: Immersive rituals designed to cleanse, restore, and connect guests.
- Guided Nature Excursions: Outdoor exploration revealing the country’s vast, pristine, and living landscapes.
- Hyperlocal Sightseeing: Cultural time spent with local communities to place each unique meal in its proper geographic context.
The final result is not merely a sequence of exceptional dishes, but a curated, sensory narrative linking food, community, and the northern environment.
Prospective guests worldwide can apply through June 9 (11:59 p.m. EEST) at HaveSomeFinnish.com. To enter, applicants should post a short video to Instagram or TikTok explaining why they want to “Have Some Finnish,” tag Visit Finland, and include the hashtag #HaveSomeFinnish. The tourism board will then select 16 storytellers and taste-seekers to join this savory celebration of Finland.
How to Apply
Prospective guests from around the globe can submit their entries to secure a seat at the table. Here are the essential requirements:
- Application Deadline Open through June 9 at precisely 11:59 p.m. EEST.
- Official Portal Submit your primary credentials directly at HaveSomeFinnish.com.
- Social Media Entry Post a short, compelling video to Instagram or TikTok explaining exactly why you want to “Have Some Finnish.”
- Campaign Tagging Tag the official account @VisitFinland and ensure you include the dedicated hashtag #HaveSomeFinnish in your post caption.
The tourism board will select 16 final storytellers and taste-seekers to join this savory, all-expenses-paid celebration of Finland this coming September.
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