Special diets and environmental issues have been taken into account in the catering at the castle parties.
One of the most interesting things about the castle party is the evening menu. This year, the menu emphasizes domesticity and environmental friendliness again. The theme of the 2023 Linna celebrations is times are changingwhich also appears in the menu.
Chef of the Presidential Palace Jyrki Jääskeläinen tells Iltalehti that at least one product has been selected for the dinner cover from each of the Linna parties hosted by President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö.
– In 2019, there was such a salmiakki pie, which is still the case now. Ellen Svinhufvudin -cake has been around for many years. Then of course there is something new on this menu, chef Jääskeläinen describes.
Jääskeläinen’s favorite is moose sandwich cake. Mikko Huisko
Environmental issues have been taken into account in a special test in the selection of raw materials. There are several products with as little environmental impact as possible, such as fish, berries, game, vegetables and Finnish mushrooms. Special diets and vegetarian food are also taken into account.
– For example, we have two separate points for special diets, vegans and gluten-free. Environmental friendliness can be seen in the fact that the fish cakes have pike and herring, the meat cake has deer and mushrooms. And carrot, which is the vegetable of the year, appears in vegetable cakes, Jääskeläinen opens.
In 2012, the servings were plentiful. Jenni Gästgivar
Noise in the kitchen
The Linna celebrations, hosted by the President of the Republic, have seen cooperation between educational institutions in the past, which will continue this year as well. The students of Perho Liiketalousopisto are responsible for making the sandwich cakes. Students from Omnia, the Espoo region’s educational association, work in the catering duties.
Jääskeläinen says that there is plenty of activity in the kitchen.
– There are seven master chefs, 12 student chefs and two of their teachers in the kitchen, he reveals.
There are no less than seven chefs in the kitchen. Mikko Huisko
Chef Jääskeläinen has worked at Linna’s parties before. Although all of this year’s products are on his mind, one stands out above the rest.
– Yes, this moose sandwich cake is my favorite, it has such great ingredients, Jääskeläinen says.
One of the most talked about products at Linna’s party is Linna booli, which is offered to party guests throughout the evening. Jääskeläinen believes that the ball will not end during the evening.
– There have been no changes to the ball. Made with the same recipe and also 100 percent organic, Jääskeläinen concludes.
The party offers salty and sweet food. Pasi Liesimaa/IL