Finnair Adds First Japanese Chef to Signature Chef Programme

Finnair has added the first Japanese chef to its Signature Chef programme.

Tokyo-based Chef Rika Maezawa, has designed a series of five seasonal signature menus to be served to Business Class passengers on Finnair´s flights from Tokyo to Helsinki, from 7 February 2018.

Chef Rika Maezawa opened her first restaurant in Tokyo in 2003 after receiving training at several well-known Japanese restaurants.

Her food philosophy places a strong focus on vegetables and seasonal flavours from Japanese home cooking. She also takes her inspiration from Japan’s history - as far as the Edo period from 1603 to 1868 - as well as from overseas influences to create modern yet nostalgic vegetable centric meals that go beyond the conventional boundaries of Japanese cuisine.

“Beautiful Japanese sceneries of each season are incorporated into these in-flight meals,” said Chef Rika Maezawa about her food philosophy and the meals she created for Finnair. “Through my cuisine, I would like to share with travelers the unique Japanese sentiments and sense of season. I have used ingredients from both Japan and abroad so that it may taste familiar to both Japanese and non-Japanese customers.”

Finnair started its Signature Chef programme in 2013, and has worked since then with a series of acclaimed chefs, who have created their own Signature Menus for Finnair’s Business class.

“We are very delighted about our new co-operation with our first Japanese Signature Chef, Rika Maezawa,” said Maarit Keränen, Head of Inflight Service at Finnair. “Food plays an important role in our customer experience, and I am sure our customers will enjoy the Japanese seasonal flavours that Ms. Maezawa’s meals will bring onboard.”

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