Finland Seeks 16 Single Foreigners for Free Culinary Trip with Romantic Dinner

Visit Finland, the country's tourism organisation, has opened a selection process for 16 single people from different countries to take part in a four-day culinary trip centred on shared dinners. The organisers have committed to covering all travel expenses. The project was reported by the Ukrainian news agency Unian, citing Time Out magazine.

How the trip will work

Two groups of eight participants will travel to either Helsinki or Tampere between 9 and 19 February 2027. The destination city will stay a surprise until participation is finally confirmed. The programme includes various culinary experiences and ends with a joint dinner at a venue whose name has not been disclosed. Local single people will join the international guests.

The menus will be prepared by well-known Finnish chefs. In Helsinki, Adele Kinnunen of the cafe Savoy will cook, while in Tampere the chef will be Henri Tikanen of Gösta, who represented Finland at the international culinary competition Bocuse d'Or.

The idea and how to apply

According to Time Out, the initiative follows a Finnish trend called "Sinkkukori", in which shoppers pick up pink baskets in supermarkets to signal that they are open to meeting other customers. Hellija Himenesa, senior director of international marketing at Business Finland, said the trip could open various opportunities for participants, adding: "Maybe they will find love."

Applicants must record a short video in English answering the question of what dish they would cook for a romantic dinner and why. The video must be posted on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube with the hashtag #FinnishDinnerDate, tagging Visit Finland. Applicants then need to fill in a form at FinnishDinnerDate.com and include a link to the video.

Applications are accepted until 10 November. Winners will be announced on 1 December on Visit Finland's Instagram and TikTok pages.