25 March 2021 – The flavours of Kuopio, awarded European Region of Gastronomy 2020-2021 by IGCAT, are the protagonists of Battle of Tastes – Nordic Food Adventure in Savo (Makumittelö in Finnish), a short web series that promotes the Nordic diet through Finnish top-notch social media influencers Lotta Saahko, Janne Kaperi and Joonas Pesonen.
The miniseries shows the three influencers foraging the best local ingredients from farms, forests and lakes located throughout the region. In the final episode – premiered at the first Kuopio Food Film Day – they compete using the collected products to cook a three-course meal with the aid of some of the finest chefs in the Kuopio area.
All 7 episodes of Battle of Tastes – Nordic Food Adventure in Savo are now available on the Taste Savo YouTube channel with English subtitles.
Conceived and produced by Makugassi – Matkailun, kulttuurin ja gastronomian sillanrakentajat ry, the miniseries has been commissioned by Savonia University of Applied Sciences as part of the Gastro Business project, an initiative developed in the framework of the European Region of Gastronomy 2020-2021 programme.
The Gastro Business project aims to strengthen the local food sector by sharing expertise and reinforcing the cooperation between different local actors, such as restaurants and other catering services, tourism companies, the creative industries, as well as educational institutions. Its long-term goals are to build continuity in the development of responsible food tourism and to raise the level of local gastronomy to turn Kuopio into a nationally and internationally renowned food region.
Kuopio’s programme as European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2020-2021 has been developed around the concept of Life According to Nature’s Rhythm and celebrates all foods and raw materials that can be foraged in the local natural environment. Organised into themed weeks according to the seasons, the programme includes activities such as berry and mushroom picking trips, picnics, cooking classes, workshops, pop-up restaurants, tastings, events combining culture, well-being and food, and food festivals.
Kuopio, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2020-2021 has been implemented as a collaboration between ProAgria Eastern Finland, the Rural Women’s Advisory Organisation, the City of Kuopio, SawoGrow and Savonia University of Applied Sciences. To date, it involves more than 80 companies, event operators, educational institutions and development organizations from all over the region.
About the Regions of Gastronomy Platform
Candidate and awarded Regions of Gastronomy, guided by IGCAT, are working together to raise awareness about the importance of their cultural and food uniqueness; stimulate creativity and gastronomic innovation; educate for better nutrition; improve sustainable tourism standards; highlight distinctive food cultures; and strengthen community well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance to safeguard and promote distinct food, culture, arts and sustainable tourism assets. This is essential to balance against globalised food trends that are impacting on our planet, health and local economies.
IGCAT is a non-profit institute established in 2012, working with regional stakeholder consortiums in the fields of gastronomy, culture, arts and tourism. It counts on the expertise of a worldwide network of experts and works in partnership with specialised intergovernmental organisations.
IGCAT provides the Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the European and World Regions of Gastronomy Platform. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the European Food Gift Challenge, the Top Visitor Experience and the Food Film Menu.
Photo credit: Jarkko Kääriäinen / Makugassi