Gastro Helsinki 2022: Competitions take the industry forward
Competitions within the field have always been a significant part of the Gastro Helsinki programme. The competitions for kitchen and dining room professionals promote positive visibility for the sector, provide opportunities for participants to develop and raise our food culture to world awareness.
At Gastro Helsinki 2022, the skills of the restaurant industry will be on stage: during the event days, the Finnish Championship in oyster opening will be arranged, there will be a contest for the Seafood chef title as well as the Mestarikoulu competition and an unofficial Finland-Estonia national contest will take place. Additionally, the programme stage will have discussions about the competition routine with representatives from Chef of the Year, Culinary Team Finland and Bocuse d’Or.
The cookery competition expertise in Finland is world-class, which is reflected, among other things, in the fact that the Culinary Team Finland is ranked fourth internationally. The Culinary Team Finland will present its new members for the first time at Gastro Helsinki and will bring the Estonian national team as an international guest.
-The Icelandic team, which was originally planned as a guest was unable to attend, but we will get the great Estonian team to compete at our stand! The visibility of competitions in industry events and the media is important so that we can communicate the sector’s numerous opportunities to future actors. Finland has a truly diverse culinary expertise, which we are proud to present even internationally, says Katja Tuomainen, team leader of the Culinary Team Finland.
-Finnish food culture has a lot to offer. Our clean nature, diverse agriculture and the opportunity for a light carbon footprint every season are things that Finland must highlight in its international activities to attract tourists and workforce within the sector, says Tuomainen.
Pride over one’s own field
At Gastro Helsinki 2022, the future of the restaurant industry is in focus. Competitions are a great way to raise the profile and the professionals’ pride over their field. Competitions also tend to promote positive visibility while bringing professionals together to follow and encourage competitors.
The Mestarikoulu competition for students and graduated Bachelor of Hospitality Management students strives to increase interest and respect for education and expertise in the restaurant industry. There will be competitions in both dining room and kitchen expertise in Mestarikoulu 2022.
-All competitions are good for the industry! The Mestarikoulu competition is the first stage in professional competitions, and it is a good way to practice competing by participating in it. From the Mestarikoulu competition you can continue directly to the domestic Chef of the Year and Waiter of the Year competitions and from there onward to international arenas, for instance to the Culinary Team Finland and Bocuse d’Or competitions, says Riikka Kannas of Food Camp Finland that arranges the Mestarikoulu competition.
-Competitions teach competitors to withstand pressure and develop new recipes. They are also an excellent opportunity for young people to network with people in the field and within the industry, Kannas points out.
Competitions at the Gastro Helsinki 2022 event
18 - 20 May FIN-EST Gastro Champion 2022
18 - 19 May Mestarikoulu competition
20 May Seafood chef competition
20 May Finnish Championship in oyster opening
The entire Gastro Helsinki programme at https://gastro.messukeskus.com
More information
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, Information Officer Mari Cadaut, tel. +358 40 5878 053, mari.cadaut@viestintamakua.fi
Finnish national chef team, Team Leader Katja Tuomainen, tel. +358 41 366 9108, katja.tuomainen@yahoo.com
Food Camp Finland, Managing Director Riikka Kannas, tel. +358 40 354 6331, riikka.kannas@foodcampfinland.fi
Gastro Helsinki is Finland’s leading event for professionals in the restaurant and food industry, which is organized every other year at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre and presents new products and trends in the field. Free admission for professionals by registering at https://gastro.messukeskus.com. The event is arranged 18-20 May 2022, Wednesday and Thursday 10 AM – 6 PM, Friday 10 AM – 5 PM.
Photos from the previous event can be downloaded from Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre media bank https://mediabank.messukeskus.com.
