This special dinner will be prepared by Oulu foodie startup Zestii (https://zestiikitchens.com/) using Arctic Food Lab suppliers to provide ingredients for a meal celebrating the abundance of local and seasonal Nordic ingredients. The dinner will be held in the beautiful historical building, Theodorin puisto.

 Zestii is a local business focusing on inclusion and sustainable operation, and for this dinner event they will cook up a wonderful opportunity to taste delicacies from local ingredients. The Arctic Food Lab (https://oulu2026.eu/en/arctic-food-lab/) is a brand of the Oulu 2026 European City of Culture project, bringing regional food suppliers together to showcase arctic products and local food knowledge and traditions.

What makes this dinner even more unique is the BYOB (bring-your-own bottle) principle applied—rather rare in Finland—allowing dinner guests to bring their own refreshments to be enjoyed along with the food.

Please, choose the main course option and provide the necessary information of possible allergies when registering to the dinner.

The dinner menu:

Welcome canapé

Shaved Reindeer on Rye Crisp

Lightly cured shaved reindeer on a sourdough crisp with crème fraîche, lingonberries, and a touch of spruce salt. 

Starter

option 1: Pan-fried ahven gently pan-seared ahven served with roasted fennel, mild horseradish cream, and a sprinkle of spruce salt.

option 2: Garlic and herb mushrooms with white bean purée on saaristolaisleipä

Main

option 1: Juniper roasted chicken thighs

Chicken thighs roasted with juniper and spruce salt, served with swede purée, glazed beetroot, roasted new potatoes, and a rich lingonberry-red wine sauce

option 2: Roasted root vegetable terrine

Layered beetroot, swede, and potato terrine with juniper-infused butter, salted crispy roots, mushroom jus, and a lingonberry vinaigrette.

Dessert

Chocolate mousse

Rich chocolate mousse served with lingonberry compote, chantilly cream and sugared spruce with an almond biscuit

To finish

Truffles, teas and coffees

Hand made chocolate truffles with a selection of teas or coffee.

Minimum number of participants: 28 people

Maximum number of participants: 80 people

Dinner ticket: 69 euros per person