The Arctic Food Lab’s annual Arctic Tasting saw record participation this year, as 3,327 visitors explored the flavors of local dishes across 16 restaurants and cafés from Wednesday to Saturday. The title of the tasties dish went to J&S Burger’s The Miniburger, a first-time participant in the event.
The event challenged local restaurants and cafes to craft tasting portions using local ingredients. Guests rated each dish on a scale of 1 to 5. Among those who submitted the scores, 15.6% gave The Miniburger a full five stars, making it the highest-rated dish of the event.
Based in Ii, J&S Burger brought their dish to life with both smash and vegetarian patty options, served with a selection of specialty mayonnaises. During the event, they also operated a food truck at Oulu Market Square.
“We were genuinely surprised by the win,” said entrepreneurs Sanna and Juha Savolainen. “We thought making it into the top ten would’ve been a great result. Clearly, we got the flavor balance just right.”
The winning miniburger, a scaled-down version of a burger found on their regular menu in Ii, will remain available at the restaurant for the time being, depending on customer demand. The couple is now considering expanding their operations to Oulu.
“The food truck is such a dynamic workplace—the scenery, the events, and the people keep changing. At peak times, we can serve up to 85 burgers an hour, with a daily record of 750 portions,” Juha Savolainen added.
The couple is also pleased with how the European Capital of Culture 2026 program has spotlighted local food culture: “Events like this increase appreciation for local ingredients and help build vitality and local networks,” Juha said.
Visitor Numbers and Sales Soar
Held for the fourth time, this year’s Arctic Tasting marked a significant increase in public engagement. The total number of portions served rose by nearly 40% compared to last year’s 2,400.
The event featured 22 tasting options, from savory dishes and sweet desserts to beverages, spread across 16 locations. This year introduced two pricing categories and was held approximately three weeks later than in previous years.
Participants who rated dishes were entered into prize draws for gift cards to J&S Burger, Arctic Food Lab, and top-rated café H2O Rotuaari, another newcomer to the event. Oulu2026 product packages were also awarded.
“We’re thrilled that people embraced the new timing,” said Katri Jämsä, Producer at Arctic Food Lab. “Friday and Saturday were naturally busier, but we’ve had great feedback that the weekday format also worked well—for both lunch and dinner.”
Looking Ahead
The next Arctic Tasting, part of Oulu’s European Capital of Culture year in 2026, will be announced later this autumn. Restaurant registration will open at the same time. The event is organized by the Oulu Cultural Foundation, which coordinates the Oulu2026 program.
