Finland

The Magic of Marimekko

  If you’ve ever traveled to Finland more than likely you’ve shopped, seen, or heard of Marimekko. Admired by fashion lovers and interior decorators alike, the company designs and manufactures high-quality clothing, textiles, tableware, and a bunch of cool accessories. Known for its strikingly inventive patterns and clever use of … Read more

Chez Dominique Helsinki

Chez Dominique A two star Michelin rating is a big deal in any country but in Finland it’s even bigger. It’s understandable that thoughts run toward France and the UK as far as award-winning cuisine, but who knew that Finland had ante-d up? I found out when I stepped foot … Read more

Finland’s Culture Club

[wide][/wide] Finland has an air of mystique. Situated in the northern reaches of Europe as part of the Nordic region, a quarter of its territory is north of the Arctic Circle and further north you’re bound for Norway. It has a heavy Baltic influence thanks to Estonia to the south, … Read more

Feasting in Finland

  It’s not Your Momma’s Cuisine! Wild reindeer terrine with tart lingonberry jam. Earthy trumpet chanterelles in a wine reduction sauce over seasoned trout. Crispy buckwheat blinis with Russian pickles, honey and sour cream. It’s enough to give any culinary enthusiast warm and fuzzy goose bumps. Yet that’s what makes … Read more

Helsinki Samba Carnaval

Are you ready for some samba, you know, colorful costumes and feathers in every color of the rainbow?  No, I’m not talking about heading to Brazil, that’s way too predictable. Everyone knows that Brazilians are experts at the samba – skimpily clad dancers and lots of hip swaying – but … Read more

Chicago Chef Joshua Linton

[wide][/wide] I was 16 years old.  I was completely infatuated with the concept of becoming a chef and devoting my life to good eating.  The year I spent living in Helsinki, Finland provided an amazing backdrop to taste, eat, and explore my developing palate in ways I would have never … Read more