Finland Opens Its Culinary Culture to the World with ‘Official Tasting Table’ Experience

New Visit Finland initiative invites global travellers to apply for exclusive dining experiences in Lapland and the Coast & Archipelago region

Finland is inviting the world to experience its food culture in a new way with the launch of Finland’s Official Tasting Table, a curated culinary tourism initiative designed to showcase the country’s regional flavours, landscapes, and traditions.

The four-day experience, announced by Visit Finland, will take place in September 2026 and marks the first time the Nordic nation has formally opened a nationally curated tasting experience to international visitors.

The initiative follows Finland’s recognition as the world’s happiest country for the ninth consecutive year in the United Nations World Happiness Report.

Through the campaign, 16 participants from around the world will be selected to attend one of two immersive tasting experiences — one in Finland’s Coast & Archipelago region and another in Lapland. Applicants can apply through the campaign website by submitting a short social media video explaining why they want to “Have Some Finnish.”

Finnish Cuisine Moves Into the Global Spotlight

While Finnish happiness rankings have become internationally recognized, organizers say the country’s food culture remains largely undiscovered by many global travellers.

“Finland is your chance to discover the final great secret of the world’s culinary cultures,” said Heli Jimenez, Senior Director of International Marketing at Business Finland, in a statement released alongside the campaign announcement.

The tasting experiences will feature menus created by leading Finnish chefs using regional ingredients and local traditions gathered from residents, farmers, fishermen, and cooks across the country.

The menus aim to highlight Finland’s emphasis on seasonal ingredients, simplicity, sustainability, and strong connections to nature.

Lapland and Coastal Finland to Host Experiences

One of the featured tasting experiences will take place in Finnish Lapland, while the second will be hosted in the Coast & Archipelago region.

Chef Erik Mansikka, founder of Michelin-starred Restaurant Kaskis in Turku, will lead the coastal tasting experience. Mansikka became the first chef outside Helsinki to earn a Michelin star in Finland when Kaskis received the distinction in 2022.

The Lapland menu will be led by chef Joel Manninen, a rising figure in Finland’s culinary scene and Head Chef at Sky Kitchen & View in Rovaniemi.

According to Visit Finland, the dinners are designed as multisensory experiences combining cuisine, scenery, storytelling, and regional culture.

Culinary Tourism Continues to Grow

The announcement comes as culinary and cultural tourism continues to expand globally, with travellers increasingly seeking authentic and locally rooted experiences.

Visit Finland says the tasting initiative reflects broader trends toward experiential travel and slower tourism focused on connection, sustainability, and local identity.

Participants selected for the September experiences will be announced on June 29, 2026.

Applications remain open until June 9, 2026 through the campaign website.

About Visit Finland

Visit Finland operates under Business Finland and promotes international tourism to Finland through destination marketing, tourism development, and industry partnerships.

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