The Finnish culinary elite become coffee specialists

The interest for good food increases in all directions. The meal has become an overall experience – where coffee gets a more prominent role. This poses new challenges for the participants of the Finnish Culinary Team, which recently attended some special training and got to know more about the hot beverage.

The coffee school was arranged by Löfbergs that cooperates with the Finnish Culinary Team. Under the guidance of Anna Nordström, speciality coffee manager at Löfbergs and member of the Swedish National Barista Team, the Finnish culinary elite was drilled in theoretical as well as practical exercises.

- It was very interesting to learn more about origin, quality, trends and how we can use the coffee to strengthen the experience of the meal, says Tapio Laine, team manager for the Finnish Culinary Team.

Love to compete
The training ended with a competition, where the participants got to make their own coffee blend. Eero Suhonen and Mikko Pakola were awarded for a well-balanced and full-bodied cup of coffee as well as the best presentation.

- We in the Finnish Culinary Team love the moment of competition, and of course it feels great to win! At the same time, it was both fun and instructive to make your own coffee blend under professional guidance, says Eero Suhonen, chef at Radisson Blue Plaza.

Will become the best in the world
The Finnish Culinary Team consists of 14 people. At the Culinary Olympics in 2012, the team finished in seventh place. That is a substantial shake-up since the previous Olympics, when the team came in 15th place. The aim is to be the best national team in the world.

- We think it is great to be a part of their journey. We hope to contribute to the development of Finnish cuisine and help give it even more attention. We also hope that even more Finnish people have their eyes opened for our good dark roast coffee, says Leif Sjöblom, marketing manager at Löfbergs.

For more information:
Leif Sjöblom, Marketing Manager, Löfbergs, telephone: +46 (0) 54-14 01 42 Nils-Gustav Höglund, Project Manager, The Finnish Culinary Team, +358 40 350 90 44