Embassy of Finland displays Finnish cuisine

Namibians got a taste of true Finnish cuisine when the Embassy of Finland held a reception treating guests to Finnish food with a Namibian twist.

The event that introduced Finnish cuisine to Namibia was prepared jointly by the Vantaa Varia Vocational College and the Polytechnic Hotel and Tourism School with Chefs Arno Peltonen and Ritva Saalasti-Junttila.

The two institutions with hotel and tourism expertise have formed a partnership with a focus on exchange of lecturers and students.

The event was hosted by the Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of Finland, Anne Saloranta and Rector of the Polytechnic of Namibia, Dr. Tjama Tjivikua.

At the event, Saloranta said that culinary arts are a new area of cooperation between the countries.

Every year Namibia and Finland host several different cultural programmes to promote effective partnership through Namibian Finnish co-operation and exchange. Finland is a committed development partner to Namibia especially in the fields of human rights, good governance and sustainable development, she said.

The Embassy of Finland supports various development initiatives, civil society actors and promotes trade and business relations.

Pelton remarked that this is the third time he has come to Namibia. “It feels like home when I come to Namibia, everybody is so friendly. This is truly something we can learn from your country. Friendliness is very important for the tourism and hospitality industry.”

He added that the food served to guests would represent nature and the forest and that bread is very prominent in Finland.

The guests were impressed with the Finnish-Namibian cuisine served to them which was prepared by students form both countries. The linkages between Finland and Namibia date back more than 140 years.