Nordic flavours look set to take the Anuga 2015 food fair by storm when it all kicks off in Cologne this Saturday.
Natural, fresh flavours and an emphasis on a strong lunch culture will be explored as a trendy show kitchen in Finland's country department is set up. The show kitchen will serve tasting samples crafted with local products by top chefs.
Anuga, which will run from 10 to 14 October, is the world’s leading food fair. At Anuga, food-supply entrepreneurs from all over the world will strive for the attention of retail, foodservice and catering professionals, as well as food enthusiasts.
This year, there will be 12 Finnish companies presenting their products at Anuga. An intriguing country department and a satellite department for drinks will be set up under the slogan 'Food from Finland – Naturally Delicious'. The same title will apply to the menu being served at the department's unique show kitchen.
"The products we offer are, indeed, naturally delicious," says Kim Palhus, head chef and food ambassador for Finland. "There will be plenty of berries and berry products, as well as beverages, pickled vegetables, dairy products and grains to sample. Each company has their own booth in our Food from Finland department, where it’s possible to taste the products in their original form. In the show kitchen, my colleagues and I will prepare tasty treats with the ingredients provided by the different companies for the Anuga guests to sample."
Information on the ingredients used will be provided alongside each delicious sample dish. Also, tips on how to prepare and combine the ingredients will be offered.
Finnish food is known to be healthy, natural and strengthening. For breakfast, for example, rye bread, porridge, berries, cheese and eggs are popular. Lunch is also considered an important meal, which is why a warm meal is served at schools and kindergartens every day, all funded by the government. Later in the afternoon a healthy snack gives a good energy boost, complementing the Finnish eating rhythm.
Also at 'Food from Finland – Naturally Delicious', there will be tasting-menu changes as the day goes on. In the morning, it will offer breakfast samples, for example, various smoothies and porridges. After breakfast, it will have teatime, accompanied by some biscuits or cakes. Lunch samples and afternoon snacks will also be served later on.
Nordic food presented at Anuga is a must-taste experience, and clearly one of the fair's most interesting entities due to its healthy and trendy flair. Head chef Palhus mentions natural products such as berries and sweet-water fishes as specific strengths of the Finnish cuisine. He sees Finland’s cooking culture as something special with its traditional food preparation techniques, such as simmering, smoking and pickling. Chef Palhus also emphasises the importance of the drinks accompanying the dishes. There are many drink products on display, all of which are manufactured using pure Finnish water.
Palhus adds, "When it comes to Finnish products, flavour and quality are key. The products represented at Anuga are exotic and exclusive, but also healthy and safe, which is an important factor as well. We want to create unforgettable experiences for the Anuga fair visitors. Top chefs will prepare food samples in a way that will bring out the best of the products, highlight the natural flavours of Food from Finland, and show what can be made of it."
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