Finnair has enjoyed success with its various Finnish brand collaborations, such as design company Marimekko, which supplies a striking range of tableware and soft elements. The latest tie-in is with four leading Finnish chefs – Matti Jämsén from G.W. Sundmans, Ari Ruoho from Nokka and Kari Aihinen from Savoy – who have designed menus that will be available in business class on long-haul flights from Helsinki from the end of January 2015 until spring 2016. As part of the cooperation, Finnair will also offer special menus next year to celebrate the arrival of its new Airbus A350 aircraft as well as Christmas. The menus will be rotated at approximately three-month intervals.
“We have received very positive feedback from customers regarding our previous partnership with top Finnish chefs, and we want to continue to offer delightful culinary experiences to our customers while also highlighting Finnish world-class expertise on our long-haul flights,” said Maarit Keränen, head of service concept at Finnair.
The first of the menus is designed by Matti Jämsén, executive head chef at G.W. Sundmans, which will include seasonal touches such as whitefish, glazed pork cheek and cod.
The menu by Kari Aihinen, executive chef de cuisine of Savoy, is inspired by summer. The menu, which will be served in spring 2015, includes ingredients such as asparagus, salad made from new potatoes, honey as a condiment, and grilled corn-fed chicken breast.
The autumnal menu designed by Ari Ruoho, head chef at Nokka, draws its inspiration from the harvest season and includes Jerusalem artichoke, northern pike eggs and pumpkin soup.
In winter 2016, it will be the turn of Fishmarket’s signature menu, which, as one might expect, has a firm focus on fish.
The partnership between Finnair and Royal Restaurants (each of the restaurants participating in this cooperation are part of Royal Restaurants) will also influence other Finnair flights. In economy class on long-haul routes, Finnair will offer traditional Finnish meals designed by the chefs, such as minced meat and macaroni casserole, as well as lamb meatballs. The starters and main courses of business class meals on European routes have also been influenced by the signature menus.
The Signature Menus will be complemented by a selection of wines specifically paired with them. The meals will be prepared by Finnair’s catering partner, LSG Sky Chefs.
