Turku to host Finland´s 1st ever Michelin Star event in June

The City of Turku will host the Michelin Star Revelation Event, the most famous culinary event in the world for the first time in Finland on June 12, said the city in a press release on Thursday.

Jointly organised by the City of Turku and Business Finland, the event, the 2023 annual Michelin Star Revelation for the Nordic Countries will be held at the Logomo venue.

The organizers of the event will present their plans to Turku City Council on January 16.

“For the first time we have chosen Finland and the beautiful city of Turku to host our annual award ceremony. This is a true recognition for local and national food culture and heritage. Turku offers the perfect setting to celebrate the richness and boldness of the whole Nordic gastronomic scene,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides.

The Michelin Stars are the restaurant industry’s most coveted and prized honours. In addition to the Michelin Stars, Michelin Green Stars and special professional awards will be announced.

“Food is an essential part of travelling, and culinary experiences have gradually become more and more important factors in choosing a destination. Local cuisine can offer unforgettable experiences. We have some amazing food destinations in Finland, such as Turku, but up until now our lively culinary culture and the high quality of our food haven’t been very well recognized internationally. Hosting the Michelin event here in Finland is a fantastic opportunity to further our goal to build an even stronger image of our country as a food destination,” said Kristiina Hietasaari, the director of Visit Finland.

Turku, the city chosen to announce the Michelin Stars, has built its position as an interesting culinary city with long-term determination and commitment.

“We have arrived here thanks to the excellent cooperation of various actors. As we step into the spotlight as the top destination of Nordic gastronomy, we are proud to present our national and local food culture to a group of very significant guests,” said Turku City mayor Minna Arve.

Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Iceland are included in the annual The Michelin Guide Nordic Countries.

There were a total of 255 restaurants in the 2022 edition of the Nordic guide, 74 of which have a Star.

In Finland, there are eight Michelin Star restaurants: seven in Helsinki and one in Turku, where restaurant Kaskis received its first Michelin Star in the summer of 2022.

Several Michelin Star revelation events are held annually all over the world, and in the past the Nordic events have been hosted in Stavanger, Trondheim, and Århus, among other cities.

As the event is brought to Finland for the very first time, it will gather hundreds of guests, including chefs from top Scandinavian restaurants and international media.

“It is wonderful to finally get the Nordic revelation event to Finland. Finnish foods and beverages have received numerous international prizes before, and now we get much-needed recognition for our food culture as well. We can be extremely proud of Finnish food, drinks, and the quality of our restaurants, which emphasize authentic flavours, pure nature, safe and healthy ingredients – served with a pinch of Northern exoticism,” said Esa Wrang, director of Food from Finland program at Business Finland.