Ruokamessut, Verkkokauppa.com, and Valio are looking for Finland's best Airfryer chef

Finland's first Airfryer Finnish Championships will be held on April 20th at the Helsinki Food Fair (Ruokamessut). Applications are now open, and the finalists will be judged by star chef Kim Mikkola alongside experts from Verkkokauppa.com and Valio.

Airfryers have taken Finnish kitchens by storm, cooking food with hot air as their name suggests. Unlike traditional ovens, these compact appliances used in the competition require no preheating, making them an easy, time-saving, and energy-efficient way to cook.

While not a brand-new invention—the first airfryers hit the market nearly 15 years ago—they have only become a massive hit in recent years.

“This isn't just a passing trend; airfryers have become a permanent fixture in Finnish kitchens and daily life, much like microwaves. When cooking with an airfryer, there's no need for extra fat, and many find that the food simply tastes better,” explains Verkkokauppa.com Category Manager Joonas Heiniö.

Nearly 140,000 airfryers were sold in Finland in 2023 alone.

“As a retailer, we are excited to find out which of these hundreds of thousands of Finns has truly mastered the art of air frying,” Heiniö continues.

Are you Finland's best airfryer cook? Show off your skills and impress the judges with your recipe

Anyone can apply with a short video. Applications are open until March 22nd, and the three best cooks will be selected for the final from a group of six semi-finalists.

“Since the buzz around airfryers has remained hot year after year, organizing the Finnish Championships at the new Food Fair is a natural way to elevate air frying from home kitchens to a professional level,” says Concept Manager Nina Harlin.

In addition to the unique title, the winner will take home a €1,000 gift card to Verkkokauppa.com.

“This is an unprecedented and playful competition where we are looking for great personalities and original recipes in addition to excellent cooking skills,” Harlin concludes.

Technique and creative use of ingredients under the spotlight

The cooking style is free, but an airfryer must be used to prepare the dish or a part of it.

“In addition to their own chosen ingredients, competitors will have access to a selection of spices and basic cooking products provided by Valio, ranging from creams to various cheeses,” says Valio Communications Manager Aino Laakso.

The competition takes place in a demonstration kitchen in front of a live audience. In the final, each competitor must prepare one warm appetizer, main course, or dessert within the allotted time.

“Dishes will be judged on appearance, taste, and creativity. We hope the competition will provide great recipes and cooking tips to share with the rest of Finland later,” Laakso adds enthusiastically.

Jury

Kim Mikkola, Restaurateur
Lauri Kutila, Head of Brand and Communications, Verkkokauppa.com
Aino Laakso, Communications Manager, Valio

Additional information
press@verkkokauppa.com (Ulkoinen palvelu)

Verkkokauppa.com
Verkkokauppa.com is Finland's leading online retailer, offering a wide range of products from home technology to leisure and business needs. Operating since 1992, the company is one of the world's oldest online retailers, combining e-commerce and physical stores into a seamless omnichannel customer experience. Verkkokauppa.com's four megastores are located in Oulu, Pirkkala, Raisio, and Helsinki's Jätkäsaari district. To deliver an exceptional customer experience, the company delivers products to your door in as little as one hour, around the clock, using automation and robotics. Verkkokauppa.com employs approximately 600 people, and the company's shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.