Open call to restaurant and event industry representatives: Help us make Helsinki’s food year unforgettable!

Food been selected as a key theme of Helsinki’s tourism, marketing and communications for the year 2024. The city is now looking for providers of food, drink and performances for events that will take place throughout the coming special year devoted to food. In particular, we are calling for operators to help us co-create the Helsinki food festival we are planning for 24 May–16 June 2024. The festival will be an excellent opportunity for people in the restaurant, tourism and event industry to highlight Helsinki as a uniquely versatile culinary destination to residents and visitors alike.
Iltakuva Helsingin Teurastamon pihalta.
Helsinki's food-themed year will be put together as a joint effort by the city, its residents, and local companies and organisations.. Photo: Jussi Hellsten, Helsinki Partners

Helsinki's food-themed year will be put together as a joint effort by the city, its residents, and local companies and organisations. We are now on the lookout for a diverse variety of delectable and appealing events and experiences to enliven the city at culinary events held through the year.

Examples can include tastings, food-themed performances or events, special gastronomical theme weeks or set dining experiences that feature a special programme. The events that are submitted for consideration must stand out from usual restaurant operations and be open to anyone who would like to make a reservation and participate. Events that are included in the festivities can be either free of charge or subject to a fee.

Events and experiences that seek to participate in the food-themed year should tell the story of Helsinki’s unique local food culture, utilize locally available ingredients and, of course, be sustainably and responsibly implemented.

Preferred dishes and dining experiences can be built around traditionally Finnish raw ingredients: for example, rhubarb, which is an integral part of Helsinki Day traditions each year; lingonberries, which represent the ‘freedom to roam’ principle observed in the Nordics; or pike, a versatile fish that celebrates our fresh-water lakes and the Baltic Sea.

Read more and register for the event by 28 February 2024!