Mary in Vancity

The happiest country in the world just did something: it opened its dinner table to strangers.

Not metaphorically. Literally.

Finland is inviting people from around the world to apply for one of just 16 seats at “Finland’s Official Tasting Table,” an immersive culinary experience set in some of the country’s most breathtaking locations.

For a country known for protecting its quiet, its traditions, and its deep connection to nature, this feels surprisingly intimate. The invitation isn’t just about food. It’s about understanding why Finland has ranked as the happiest country in the world for nine years straight.

And honestly? This may be one of the smartest tourism campaigns I’ve seen in a long time.

Instead of selling luxury or bucket-list attractions, Finland is offering something people are craving more than ever right now: connection. Slow meals. Wild landscapes. Real stories. Food that comes directly from forests, lakes, coastlines, and Arctic kitchens.

Through Finland’s Official Tasting Table, guests will experience curated four-day tastings in Lapland and the Coast & Archipelago region, created by some of the country’s top chefs and inspired by thousands of stories from local fishermen, farmers, and home cooks.

Applications are now open through Have Some Finnish, and just 16 guests will be selected across two exclusive tasting experiences happening in September 2026.

A Culinary Experience Rooted in Place

What makes this stand out is how connected the meals are to the land itself.

One tasting will take place in Finland’s Coast & Archipelago region, while the second happens in Lapland. These are not restaurant reservations. They’re immersive experiences designed around nature, seasonality, and the people who grow, catch, and prepare the food.

According to Visit Finland, thousands of locals shared what their region truly tastes like, from fishermen to farmers to home cooks. Finland’s top chefs then transformed those stories into official tasting menus representing their regions.

The result sounds beautifully Finnish: wild ingredients, fresh fish, foraged foods, simple preparation, and a strong sense of connection to nature.

As someone who spends a lot of time covering food and travel, I love when a destination focuses less on spectacle and more on authenticity. Finland seems to understand that food memories are tied to atmosphere. It’s the cold air, the silence of the forest, the warmth of a shared table, the story behind the ingredients.

Finnish cuisine leans heavily into clean flavours, wild ingredients, Arctic influences, and a respect for seasonality that feels refreshing in a world obsessed with excess.

Meet the Chefs Behind the Experience

The Coast & Archipelago tasting will be created by Erik Mansikka, founder of Restaurant Kaskis, which earned Finland’s first Michelin star outside of Helsinki in 2022.

Meanwhile, the Lapland tasting will be led by Joel Manninen, a rising culinary talent known for modern Arctic cuisine. He currently serves as Head Chef at Sky Kitchen & View in Rovaniemi.

How to Apply

Applications are open from May 18 to June 9, 2026. Applicants can apply solo or with one additional guest.

To enter, participants need to create a short video on Instagram or TikTok explaining why they want to “Have Some Finnish,” using the hashtag #HaveSomeFinnish and tagging Visit Finland. Once that’s done, complete this application form.

Honestly, this feels less like a contest and more like an invitation into a culture that values stillness, connection, and simplicity in a way many of us are craving right now.

And if happiness really does start around the table, Finland may be onto something.