While some festivals still rely on the familiar approach of fried food and hangover-friendly dishes, many are stepping up their game. Master chefs turn their award-winning restaurants into pop-up food trucks, and you can find festival food reviews in the news media.
Some of the venders at Flow Festival, for example, have been Michelin Guide restaurants such as Grön and Shelter. Some Finns even attend music festivals primarily for the food, seeking the perfect bite to eat.
“You can see that many festivals are paying more attention to the food they serve,” says sommelier Toni Feri. He is the cofounder of Let Me Wine, a Helsinki-based natural wine importing agency. “There are more artisanal dishes such as handmade burgers and fewer processed foods, with a focus on sustainable ingredients.”
Indeed, some festivals no longer serve red meat, including Flow Festival and Sideways in Helsinki. Many festivals already track their carbon footprints and invest in locally sourced ingredients.
Food and wine festivals, however, are a completely different ball game – and Finland excels at them too. Take, for example, the country’s largest food festival, Tamperrada, which specialises in pintxos, or bite-sized dishes. Around the country, there are also festivals for burger lovers, garlic enthusiasts and fans of Italian cuisine, as well as for wine connoisseurs.
By Kristiina Ella Markkanen, ThisisFINLAND Magazine 2024
