Forget dating apps. What if your next great connection wasn't with a person, but with a place? Finland is offering a unique chance to experience its culture and cuisine on an all-expenses-paid trip centered around a group dinner date.
What is the Finnish Dinner Date?
The 'Finnish Dinner
Date' is a food-tourism campaign created by Visit Finland, the country's official tourism board. It's an imaginative initiative designed to put Finland's culinary scene on the global map. The campaign will bring 16 single adults from around the world to Finland for a fully-funded, four-day trip in February 2027. The lucky winners will be divided into two groups of eight, with one group heading to the capital, Helsinki, and the other to Tampere, a city in Finland's picturesque Lakeland region. The centerpiece of the trip is a unique group dinner where the international visitors will be joined by local Finnish singles.
More Than Just a Free Meal
While the prospect of romance is hinted at, organizers are clear that this is not a matchmaking service. The goal is to foster genuine connections through shared experiences, placing Finland's famed hospitality and food culture front and center. The idea was partly inspired by the 'sinkkukori' or 'single basket' phenomenon in some Finnish supermarkets, where shoppers can use a pink basket to signal they are open to meeting new people. This campaign internationalizes that spirit of openness. According to Heli Jimenez, a senior director at Business Finland, the main goal is for guests to 'fall in love with Finnish flavours' and experience the country's culture together with others.
A Taste of Authentic Finland
Finland's food culture is still relatively unknown internationally compared to its Nordic neighbors, a fact this campaign aims to change. The trips are designed as an immersive culinary journey. Winners will experience one of Finland's official regional tasting menus, crafted by renowned chefs to showcase local ingredients and traditions. The Helsinki menu is designed by Adele Kinnunen of Café Savoy, while the Lakeland menu is from the mind of Henry Tikkanen, who has represented Finland in the prestigious Bocuse d'Or culinary competition. The itineraries will also include other cultural activities, sightseeing, and, of course, the quintessential Finnish sauna experience.
How to Apply for the Trip
Applications are open to single adults aged 18 and over from anywhere in the world, excluding Finnish residents. The process is straightforward and creative. First, applicants must create a short video in English answering the question: 'What would you serve on a dinner date, and why?'. This video must be posted publicly on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube using the hashtag #FinnishDinnerDate and tagging Visit Finland's official account. After posting the video, candidates must complete an online application form on the official Visit Finland website, including the link to their video. The deadline for applications is November 10, 2026.
What Winners Can Expect
The 16 winners will receive an all-expenses paid prize package that includes round trip flights, accommodation, and a fully hosted four day itinerary between February 9 and 19, 2027. However, there is a small catch : participants won t get to choose their destination. The tourism board will assign each winner to either Helsinki or Tampere, revealing the location only after they have confirmed their participation. The trip is less about a one on one blind date and more about a communal experience, offering a chance to explore a new culture, taste incredible food, and make connections in the world s happiest country.
