Finland has invited single Nigerians and other interested individuals from across the world to participate in a blind group dinner date with Finnish singles as part of a tourism campaign aimed at promoting the country’s cuisine, culture and attractions.
The initiative, tagged “Finnish Dinner Date,” will feature a four-day culinary experience in Helsinki and Tampere between February 9 and 19, 2027, with 16 participants expected to be selected from different countries.
According to a statement issued by the Finnish tourism agency on October 20, the programme will combine traditional Finnish food experiences with opportunities for international visitors to interact and establish connections with local singles.
The agency said eight participants would be chosen for each of the two dinner events, where they would enjoy specially curated tasting menus featuring traditional Finnish delicacies.
The Helsinki dinner will be prepared by Adele Kinnunen, head chef at Café Savoy, while Henry Tikkanen, a Finnish restaurateur and former Chef of the Year, will oversee the menu in the Lakeland region.
Senior Director of International Marketing at Business Finland, Heli Jimenez, said the initiative was designed to introduce international visitors to Finnish food traditions while encouraging social connections through shared dining experiences.
The campaign draws inspiration from Finland’s viral “Sinkkukori” trend, which involves single people using pink shopping baskets to signal their interest in meeting potential romantic partners while shopping.
Applicants are required to submit an English-language video explaining what they would prepare for a dinner date and the reasons for their choice.
The video must be posted on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube with the hashtag #FinnishDinnerDate. Interested individuals are also expected to complete an online application form and provide a link to their submission.
Applicants who prefer not to make their videos public may upload them to YouTube as unlisted videos.
Visit Finland said applications would close on November 10, 2026, at 11:59 a.m.
Finnish time, while successful applicants would be announced on December 1 through the agency’s social media platforms.
The campaign is also expected to showcase Finnish cuisine, which features locally sourced fish, game, berries, mushrooms and other seasonal ingredients.
