Finland is officially inviting the world to experience its culinary culture through a new immersive dining initiative designed to showcase the flavours, landscapes and traditions behind the world’s happiest country.
The country has announced the launch of Finland’s Official Tasting Table, a curated four-day culinary experience taking place in September 2026 across two of Finland’s most scenic regions: the Coast & Archipelago area and Lapland.
The initiative comes after Finland was named the world’s happiest country for the ninth consecutive year in the United Nations World Happiness Report.
Finland Opens Its Culinary Culture To International Visitors
While Finland has gained global recognition for quality of life and wellbeing, officials say its food culture has remained largely undiscovered internationally.
Through the new tasting programme, the country aims to introduce international travellers to regional Finnish cuisine shaped by nature, seasonal ingredients and local traditions.
Only 16 participants will be selected across the two exclusive tasting experiences, with eight guests attending each regional event.
Applications opened on 18 May and close on 9 June 2026. Selected participants will be announced on 29 June.
Menus Inspired By Local Communities And Landscapes
To create the tasting menus, Visit Finland asked residents, fishermen, farmers and cooks across the country to describe what their region truly tastes like.
Thousands of responses were collected before Finland’s leading chefs transformed the stories and ingredients into official tasting menus representing different parts of the country.
Organisers say the experience is designed as a multisensory journey where food, scenery, atmosphere and regional storytelling become part of the same experience.
Each dinner will take place in remote natural settings where the surrounding environment becomes part of the culinary presentation itself.
Chefs Behind The Experience
The Coast & Archipelago tasting menu will be created by chef Erik Mansikka, founder of Restaurant Kaskis in Turku.
Kaskis received Finland’s first Michelin star awarded outside Helsinki in 2022 and later earned a Michelin Green Star for sustainability efforts.
The Lapland menu will be led by chef Joel Manninen, winner of the Finnish Young Chefs Championship in 2025 and silver medallist at the 2026 Young Chefs World Championship.
Manninen currently serves as Head Chef at Sky Kitchen & View in Rovaniemi, known for its Arctic-inspired cuisine and panoramic Lapland setting.
Food Positioned As Part Of Finnish Happiness
Visit Finland says the initiative is designed to connect visitors with the lifestyle and values associated with Finnish happiness.
“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,” said Heli Jimenez, Senior Director of International Marketing at Business Finland.
Applicants can apply individually or together with another guest by submitting a short video on Instagram or TikTok explaining why they want to Have Some Finnish.
Photo credit: Visit Rovaniemi
