This year at the International Green Week 2020 I spent a lot of time in HALL 8.2 – especially at the Finnish stand. Reasons for this – besides the wish to learn more about the northernmost country of the EU and to write a new article on “Meet the Chef” (Teemu Kaijanen) – were mainly the relaxed atmosphere and the many natural products there.

There is always “all hell breaking loose” at the Green Week, although I think that with the large number of visitors every year it is becoming more difficult to explore the variety on offer in a relaxed manner.

So it was all the more pleasant that the atmosphere at and around the Finnish stand was so relaxed. Even when the hall was properly filled, the Finns were always in a good mood and this of course contributed to the feel-good factor of the visitors. Here one could get away from the hustle and bustle of the fair & masses and gather strength for the next few kilometres of walking.

Besides the music program, which took place from time to time, there was a variety of extraordinary and tasty culinary highlights to marvel at and of course to taste. It was especially noticeable that the prices and quantities for the offered delicacies and drinks at the Finnish stands were more than fair compared to other nations & halls.

That I would take the chance to meet the chef Teemu Kaijanen, who is well known beyond the borders of Finland, at the Finnish stand was self-evident. Everybody who tried the dishes that were created by Teemu could only be astonished – a simple and yet so convincingly tasty cuisine is rarely found.

On top of that, of course, there was the open and friendly nature of Teemu, which is why I enjoyed writing about him twice as much. Have a look at the article – there I will go a little closer to the delicacies Teemu cooked for the fair.

I have made some “wanted posters” about the Finnish products & producers – have a look, one or the other is surely interesting for you. Some of them are already available in german supermarkets – but some of them are not yet…

• JYMY Pine Icecreme from Suomisen Maito Oy
• Direct juices from Aten Marja Oy
• Rose petal jam from Finnish Plant FP-Kotaja Oy
• Cloudberries Arctic Sparkle from Saimaan Marja
• Canned fish from Puula-Särvin
• Lemonades, jams & dried fruit and more from Poikain Parhaat

As soon as I arrive, a handful of company portraits will follow.