Finland is inviting 16 single travelers from around the world on an all-expenses-paid trip that includes dinner dates with local singles, Visit Finland said on the 25th.
Flights, Lodging and Meals All Covered for 16 Singles
The program, called Finnish Dinner Date, will run between Feb. 9 and Feb. 19, 2027. Visit Finland will cover airfare, accommodation, meals and the cost of local experiences.
The 16 participants will be split into two groups of eight and will spend four days and three nights in either the capital, Helsinki, or Tampere. Participants cannot choose their destination, which remains secret until the final selection is announced.
The highlight of the trip is a group dinner with Finnish singles, where participants will share a specially prepared meal and strike up conversation.
Well-known chefs will handle the cooking. In Helsinki, chef Adele Kinnunen of Cafe Savoy, who appeared on the cooking competition show "MasterChef Professional," will present the menu.
In Tampere, known as the sauna capital of the world, chef Henri Tikkanen of Restaurant Gosta, who represented Finland at the Bocuse d'Or culinary competition, will prepare the meal.
Beyond the dinner dates, participants will sample local ingredients and traditional dishes and experience Finnish nature and culture.
A Pink Shopping Basket Signals You Are Single
The idea grew out of a local trend known as sinkkukori, Finnish for "single basket." Shoppers who carry a pink basket at the supermarket signal that they are open to meeting someone new. The practice drew attention on social media as a way to make connections in everyday life without a dating app.
Visit Finland expanded the idea into a culinary tourism program that pairs foreign visitors with locals.
The event is part of the Have Some Finnish campaign that the tourism agency launched in the spring. The aim is to add food to Finland's appeal as a destination already known for the northern lights, saunas and unspoiled nature.
In September, the agency ran a program that invited foreign travelers to explore the food cultures of Lapland and the country's coastal regions.
Heli Jimenez, senior director of international marketing at Business Finland, said food is a natural way to bring people together, and said participants might fall in love with new people, Finnish food or the destination itself.
What Would You Cook on a Date? How to Apply
Applications are open through Nov. 10. Applicants must submit a short video in English answering a single question: what food would you serve your date at dinner, and why?
The video should be posted on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube with the hashtag #FinnishDinnerDate and a tag of Visit Finland's official account. Applicants who prefer not to make the video public can use YouTube's unlisted setting.
The 16 finalists will be announced Dec. 1 on Visit Finland's Instagram and TikTok accounts.
Visit Finland said it hopes participants will discover the appeal of Finnish food and want to return after the trip.