Credits: Visit Tampere, Tampere Taivaalta
The trip to Tampere takes participants across a range of culinary activities and culminates in an epic, experiential group dinner date – held in a truly unforgettable location with nature as its backdrop. The group will be joined on the dinner date by local Finns and will get to enjoy the region's official tasting menu.
In Finland’s Lakeland, thousands of lakes, snow-covered forests, and welcoming towns create a landscape of remarkable beauty. Situated between the lakes lies Tampere: Finland's third largest city known for its unique blend of culture, laid-back people and outdoor experiences.
Visitors can explore the city’s distinctive industrial heritage, browse boutiques and museums, enjoy scenic views across frozen lakes, dine in high-end restaurants, and relax in some of Finland’s finest public saunas. In fact, Tampere and the surrounding region has over 70 public saunas and the city is known as the Sauna Capital of the World. Beyond the city, the surrounding Lakeland region invites travelers to experience winter hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and peaceful moments in pristine natural surroundings.
Food is an essential part of the Lakeland experience. The region’s cuisine draws inspiration from its lakes and forests, featuring fresh fish, wild berries, mushrooms, and seasonal game – and a visit is not complete without tasting Tampere’s iconic black sausage, traditionally served with lingonberry jam. Whether enjoyed in a lakeside restaurant, a bustling market hall, or a countryside retreat, the food offers a genuine taste of Finnish traditions and hospitality.
Chef Henry Tikkanen is a respected culinary professional and restaurateur. He rose to national prominence after winning Finland’s prestigious Chef of the Year title in 2001, and represented the country in the international Bocuse d’Or competition in 2003. Central to Tikkanen’s culinary philosophy is a commitment to Finnish ingredients and the natural environment they come from. He emphasizes the use of pure, fresh, and locally sourced produce, allowing seasonal flavors to take center stage. This focus on locality and simplicity results in dishes that are both contemporary and rooted in Finnish culinary heritage.
Henry is the restaurateur of Gösta, a restaurant famous for its pure tastes from Finnish nature, set at Serlachius Museums in the lakeside art town of Mänttä-Vilppula.
Below you can find a curated selection of inspiring stories about Tampere, Finnish food, sauna and winter experiences in the region.