According to HJK, the social media picture left an essential thing unsaid.
HJK and KuPS complained about their superiority on Saturday. The match ended in a tie 1–1. Juha Tamminen / AOP
- The food supply of the HJK–KuPS match did not please one spectator.
- According to the company, the viewer was happy to be able to buy the product, even though the kiosk was already closed. This was not reported on Facebook.
- Chef Kim Mikkola, awarded with a Michelin star, is responsible for Bolt Arena’s food services.
Saturday’s top-of-the-table battle between HJK and KuPS in the Veikkausliiga sparked discussion on social media. However, not in his field events.
The match event was overshadowed, among other things, by long queues both when arriving at the stadium and when ordering services. Many fans who watched the match shared their experience on Twitter during and after the match.
A particularly sarcastic discussion was sparked by a picture published by a fan of his food portion.
– This is a Michelin-star chili pepper. No buns until the end, the caption read.
The portion in the picture is missing the bun typical for a hot dog. Chili con carne is splashed on top of two naki.
The picture sparked a discussion, as Bolt Arena, which serves as HJK’s home stadium, announced at the beginning of the year that restaurant services would be transferred to a Michelin-starred chef Kim Mikkolan responsibility.
To be honest, the portion does not live up to the promised gourmet experience.
HJK responsible for the renovation of Bolt Arena Mehdi Younes was aware of the image in question. He told Iltalehte an important detail that was overlooked by social media.
– He had arrived at the kiosk after closing time. He had been kindly told that, unfortunately, the kiosk is closed, but if necessary, he could be offered something if he so desired. At the time, the customer was very happy with the portion he received, after all, he had received it after closing time, says Younes.
However, he does not want to downplay the upset caused by the food experience.
– I absolutely understand. We respond to feedback and make changes if necessary.
“The numbers don’t lie”
According to the club, the facilities at HJK’s home stadium do not fully meet today’s requirements. Juha Tamminen / AOP
Younes says that HJK invests a lot in developing its services.
The KuPS match, which turned out to be a head-to-head battle, took place at a challenging time. The eventful summer weekend, combined with the acute labor shortage in the restaurant industry, posed its own challenges for the match.
– Developing and renewing services take their own time. Growing pains cannot be avoided, Younes states
One of the changes this season was investing in the food supply. Michelin chef Kim Mikkola took over the arena’s restaurant services.
According to Younes, the leap from “beer and nakkimug” to higher quality murkina is visible.
– The average purchase in the arena has tripled in euro terms. At the same time, the price point has been dropped by 30 percent, which means that more product is sold. The numbers don’t lie, says Younes.
HJK is not the only one using Bolt Arena’s services. Younes says that the food feedback has also been positive at other events organized at the stadium.
– For example, in HIFK’s matches, women’s and youth national matches, and in the one that attracted a huge number of people Lauri Tähkän at the concert, the food offering was praised. Volunteers of the Ice Hockey World Cup ate in the arena. Food was available elsewhere, but the group wanted to come here because they thought our food was the tastiest, says Younes.
Younes assures that he knows what he is talking about.
– I have tasted every product for sale. They were found to taste good even then. They have been praised for a reason.
The requirements have changed
Younes does not deny that there is enough to improve in match events. HJK does its best, but even the club cannot influence everything.
– The stadium was designed and built in the 1990s in accordance with the teachings of that time. The world is very different today.
According to Younes, in recent years, it was not even possible to imagine how the “on demand” culture would revolutionize event services.
– Nowadays, the expectations towards ancillary services are at a completely different level than a couple of decades ago.
The changes eat up two important resources from the club, time and money.
– The changes we are able to make will be made. However, we cannot change everything in the current stadium, Younes regrets.