Ruokamaakunta Nyt! - 11 000 vuotta eteläkarjalaista gastronomiaa jatkuvassa kattauksessa

Kuva
Logo with a bird and berry branches
Food Province Now! – project aims to raise South Karelia as an interesting food tourism destination by utilizing

historical information from the province's food traditions from the Stone Age to the present day. The setting of the goal is related to the pending application for the title of European Region of Gastronomy (ERG) in 2024, in which South Karelia is involved together with South Savo and North Karelia. South Karelia still has a lot of development needs in the supply and presentation of its distinctive food culture, so that the province can be at the level of the goals of the ERG title. The tourism, event and restaurant industries, which were mistreated by the Covid 19 pandemic, also need new competitive factors in South Karelia, as well as up-to-date know-how and new ways of coping with the crisis. A sustainably produced, high-quality and distinctive food supply is one important way to differentiate yourself from your competitors and attract new customer groups to the province.



A new extensive history of South Karelia was published in two parts 2018-2019 and its contents deserve a wider

audience. The books also contain a lot of information about the food history of the area and related stories that can be used to enliven the food supply of the companies in the province. In addition, the old food traditions have features that can be used to promote sustainable food production and support the province’s low-carbon goals.



As a result of the development work, new product ideas are created, as well as events in which new information about food history is applied in a modern and sustainable way. The results of the development work are documented and will be available to companies on their own product development on digital platforms after the project. The participating companies become active in highlighting the local and regional food tradition in their own products and develop new competitive service and event products for the market.



The implementation of the project is divided in parts: starting a hub or joint workplace for local food companies and development organizations, examine South Karelia's food history from the Stone age to the present day, innovate new food products, share food information on digital platforms and organize food events. The project is being implemented by the Humak University of Applied Sciences, LAB University of Applied Sciences, Lappeenranta Museums and Cultural Centre Nuijamies.
Project period
-
Project state
Finished
Project area
National
Project funding
ERDF 2014-2020
LAB role
Partner
Unit
Business and Hospitality Management
Project focus area
Health
Takes place in project

Project's podcast (in Finnish)

Go and listen our podcast from Spotify! It has three episodes and fits perfectly when going for a walk or travelling in train. Link to the podcast

Journeys to South Karelia’s Culinary History -book

This book combines recipes created by chef Jukka Moilanen and few quest stars as well as interesting history of the area. This book takes you on a journey to the history of South Karelian cuisine and offers modern-day versions of dishes that have been eaten in the province in different eras. The recipes in the book are inspired by local produce. They invite home cooks as well as professionals on a journey of taste through the past centuries and back to the present.

eBook can be found from here: link to the book .

Materials created in the project

Photos, videos and our TV-advertisement can be found from here: Materials .

 

Publications:

Ruokamatkalla maakunnan historiaan, 22.12.2022 (in Finnish) by researcher Noora Niemi.

Historiasta uusia ideoita eteläkarjalaiseen ruokamatkailuun, 19.4.2023 (in Finnish) by project manager Juha Iso-Aho.

Ruokamaakunta Nyt! -hub keskittää herkullisuuden ja yhteistyön, 24.4.2023 (in Finnish) by RDI specialist Maria Murto.

Past events - Thank you for participating and hopefully these would continue also next year!

25.11.2022 "Kaisan Kahjaiset", Hiljan piha & Vuoksen kalastuspuisto.

This event was aimed for professionals in culture, food, tourism and hospitality. The event offered live music, workshop and pitching.

28.5. "Kivikautisilla mailla" , Savitaipale, Rovastinoja stone age habitation

This is an event for you if you are interested in nature, food and history. At the event, you can learn about Stone Age life through guided tours, workshops, food preparation and storytelling. The venue is Rovastinoja in Savitaipale (Myllylammentie 310), which is also a Saimaa Geopark site.

15.6. "Ruoka, sauna ja Saimaa", all around South Karelia region

Open sauna day to present South Karelia's sauna and food culture. We had 38 different saunas from all around South Karelia region. The event was a whole day event and the sauna providers could decide by themselves opening times and possible entrance fees. There were saunas from sauna in a van or a tent to a spa - so all kind of saunas to try!

2.9. "Kestikievarin taikaa" - Tavern magic, Hiljan piha, Imatra.

Have you ever dreamed on visiting a tavern from the early 1800s? For one night, we'll open Linnankoski tavern for the travellers to enjoy three course menu of local food, live music and stories.

7.10. "Hovien maakunta", Region of mansions, multi-site event in South Karelia

In this event five mansions were open and offering food and culture. At the same time you could have a glimpse of the upper class lifestyle back in the days.

Sustainable Development Goals
Project managers
Location