Finnair has partnered with acclaimed executive chefs Steven Liu from China and Sasu Laukkonen from Finland for its business class Signature Menu program, creating a one-of-a-kind culinary experience for its long-haul business class passengers.

“With these new partnerships, we will bring the tastes and flavours of East and West directly to our business class experience,” says Juha Järvinen, chief commercial officer, Finnair. “We are also excited to launch our very first collaboration with a world-class chef from China. This partnership with chef Steven Liu allows Finnair to offer a Nordic experience to our customers but with an eastern twist.”

The Signature Menu by Steven Liu, executive chef de cuisine, is served on Finnair’s long-haul flights departing Beijing and Shanghai. Other Chinese destinations will follow at a later date. Chef Steven’s menu, titled “When East Meets West”, integrates Western and Eastern flavours with a new and modern style. His dishes have been served in the tables of distinguished establishments such as The Savoy and The Dorchester in London, as well as in the “Le Cordon Bleu” network.

Finnair’s Signature Menu cooperation with Sasu Laukkonen brings the best of Nordic cuisine to long-haul business class customers flying out of Helsinki, the capital of Finland. With over 15 years in the cuisine business and currently the chef/partner for Chef & Sommelier restaurant in Helsinki, Laukkonen’s cuisine is ambitious, pure in taste and close to the chef’s Nordic roots.

In addition to the new Signature Menus, the airline has also introduced organic Jymy ice cream from Finland in business class for all its long-haul flights departing Helsinki. Jymy has fast become one of Finland’s breakout companies in the food industry in recent years, using only organic milk, berries and ingredients in its ice cream.

“The importance of high-quality meals in conjunction with the overall passenger experience on our flights cannot be overstated,” says Maarit Keränen, head of in-flight service, Finnair. “When selecting these new partnerships, it was important for us to listen to our customer feedback and to stay true to our principles of quality, creativity and freshness.” www.finnair.com