Collaboration with leading Finnish chef and opening of new iconic café at Helsinki Airport
LONDON, 2015-10-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — SSP, a leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, is to kick off a number of enhancements to the passenger experience with an innovative collaboration with leading Finnish chef Matti Jämsen at Helsinki Airport, the leading Asia hub operator of the Nordics. Jämsen will create a new menu for the Fly Inn Restaurant & Deli, which will be available from 15th October 2015 to 6th January 2016.
Inspired by the cuisine of the Finnish archipelago, the new menu at Fly Inn will include specialities such as Finnish cold smoked whitefish and rainbow trout, cucumber and horseradish mousse and Åland organic lamb flavoured with juniper berry, roasted onion and bear’s-garlic. For each dish, a complementary wine has been selected by the renowned Yalumba Wine Company.
Jämsen has had a highly successful career in top restaurants in both Finland and abroad. Among the leading establishments at which he has worked are Chez Dominique in Helsinki and Bagatelle in Oslo, both of which have been awarded two Michelin stars. Having achieved his own Michelin star whilst working as a sous chef in Die Quadriga, in 2015 Jämsen took a 4th place at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or contest which is known as the world championships for chefs.
Also this month, SSP will open a new outlet called Tapio Café. Located at the busiest area of the terminal, the new cafe has been designed to showcase the best of Finnish quality ingredients and design, and takes its name from an ancient Finnish forest god that was worshipped in the pre-Christian era. Materials used in the unit’s design have been chosen to reflect elements from local nature, (such as the silver birches that can be seen across the airfield from the outlet’s windows), and chairs and tables from renowned finish design company Artek. Iittala tableware and Marimekko fabrics will complete the Finnish theme.
The new concept will provide travellers with light dining choices such as open rye salmon sandwiches, reindeer meatballs and Lapland cheese salad. Local craftsmanship is also showcased in a range of ice creams and pastry products as well as with a monthly rotating guest microbrew beer. The café will open on 10th October 2015.
Commenting on the new developments, Marko Alander, general manager of SSP Finland said; “We are very excited to work with Matti Jämsen, who is undoubtedly one of the leaders of our country’s culinary scene. Our new menu at Fly Inn, along with the opening of Tapio Café, will really showcase the best that Finland has to offer.”
Elena Stenholm, vice president of Finavia said; “It would be fair to say that Tapio Café will be one of the most Finnish cafes at Helsinki Airport. Finland will not only be represented in its ingredients and design, but also in its overall ambiance. Providing truly Finnish experiences to our passengers is one of our main objectives when it comes to planning our commercial offering. Tapio Café really helps us achieve this goal.”
If you have a press enquiry, please call Clare Williams at Templemere Public Relations on +44 (0) 1483 243 546 or press.office@ssp-intl.com
SOURCE: SSP Group plc