Thousands of people thronged Gastro Helsinki this year to taste various food and beverages produced at home and abroad.
The two-day event at Messukeskus Helsinki, Expo and Convention Center, in March 11–12 created an opportunity for people to delve into quality food and alcoholic beverages, including wine and beer.
The producers presented the latest news, trends, and innovations in the industry to visitors at one of the largest and most important professional events promoting sustainable food, drinks, and hospitality in a socially significant way and offering an excellent opportunity for face-to-face meetings.
The food stalls showcased various local and continental foods, while the beverage area turned into a great place for visitors to sample and discover new wines, sparkling wines, champagne, beer, ciders, microbreweries, whiskies, and other drinks.
“This is not a mere exhibition. It’s our formal introduction to the Nordic market,” said Tang Chao, managing director of China Spirit Oy, who brought China’s most valuable spirit, Moutai Flying Fairy, to Gastro Helsinki.
China Spirit Oy, the exclusive Finnish importer and distributor of Moutai, hosted a tasting experience at its booth, which drew a significant number of visitors.
“The world’s No. 1 Baijiu brand showcases a 600-year heritage at Gastro Helsinki 2026, with an exclusive tasting for Nordic buyers,” Chao said.
He said that for the first time in 600 years, Moutai, China’s national liquor and one of the world’s most valuable spirit brands, made an official Nordic debut at Gastro Helsinki.
“Moutai Feitian, the brand’s flagship jiangxiang (sauce-aroma) baijiu, is aged for a minimum of five years in traditional clay pots before being bottled. Known for its complex layering of aromas—from fermented grains and umami to dried fruit and aged leather—Moutai is often described by connoisseurs as ‘the single malt of China,’” said Chao, describing the product, adding that with an alcohol content of 53 percent alcohol by volume, Moutai is not a spirit to be rushed.
“We chose Gastro Helsinki because it’s where the region’s most serious buyers gather—restaurateurs, hoteliers, sommeliers, and distributors,” he added. “We want them to experience Moutai the way it’s meant to be experienced, not as a novelty shot but as a sophisticated spirit with centuries of heritage.”
The booth was designed to maximize engagement, featuring a standing tasting counter, cultural displays, and a one-on-one consultation space for high-potential partners.
“We’re not here for one-time visibility,” said Chao. “We’re here to build lasting partnerships.”
He said that, based in Helsinki, his company is dedicated to introducing Finland’s hospitality industry and consumers to the richness of Chinese premium spirits through education, events, and partnerships.
Talking to Daily Finland, entrepreneur Sirpa Pii-Keinonen and professional cook Timo Rautalaiho expressed their satisfaction with attending the fair.
“Here, I get the chance to know about various food and alcoholic products and also get the chance to taste them,” said Katja Koskela, who was working as a kitchen manager.
Visitors Tanja, Heikki, and Thea also expressed interest in various food and beverages but said that the fair was smaller this year than past year’s and many companies were not present.
Gastro Helsinki, held every other year, serves as a common international meeting place and discussion forum for the industry.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
