Streat Helsinki exceeded all expectations

Two days, three events. 500 conference attendees and praters, over 20 000 friends of street food. 37 street kitchens, 25 000 street food portions sold. 22 top international speakers, countless contacts made, new ideas and proposals. This was the first Streat Helsinki.

"It is great to welcome such an international set of events to Helsinki. Streat Helsinki not only livens up the city, but also give s new thoughts to both the city officials and to the food scene, and allows for new networks. I can only feel happy about this, says Helsinki's Cultural Director Stuba Nikula.

Streat Helsinki EATS gathered tens of thousands of visitors to the Tori Quarters

Demand and interest for street food was very visible when tens of thousands of people made their way to taste Finnish and international treats at the Tori Quarters in central Helsinki. The event on Saturday 22 March was expecting 10 000 visitors, and this estimate was exceeded by over 10 000 people. 37 street food vendors sold over 25 000 portions throughout the day.

"We gave a clear sign that street food entrepreneurs are passionate about their work and find great joy in it, and that citizens woul d welcome a large group of them with open arms. This time people were patient enough to wait in line for a long time, but in the future this should be a more permanent way of doing things, and not only a festival speciality", says City of Helsinki's head o f Food Culture Strategy, and initiator of Streat Helsinki, Ville Relander.

"Streat Helsinki EATS will stay in history books as the day that Helsinki and street food truly found each other. This calls to review how our market squares, courtyards and other open spaces could be put to use in the future - and what levels festival and market food reach in the future. Anyone can learn a lot from the passion,  attitude and choice of ingredients of the Streat Helsinki EATS vendors. Good work leads to success", continues Relander.

Read the whole closing press release here 

Photo: Maarit Kytöharju/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/streathelsinki/13330199233/in/photostream/