Summary of Tallinn FoodFest 2008
Tallinn FoodFest, which was held on 30 October – 1 November, continued the tradition of organising food fairs since 1993. FoodFest has taken place every two years since 2002. This year was the fourth time it has been held.
There were 9 030 visitors this year – 75% of them were business visitors. On the last day – food lover's day – the fair was open to the general public. There were over 2 000 food lovers. Over 300 foreign visitors came to the fair. By comparison, there were 8 800 visitors in 2006.
The fair is popular among professional schools and 700 students and teachers visited the fair – over 50 visitors being from professional schools in Finland.
There were 93 exhibitors at Tallinn FoodFest 2008, and the products of 20 firms were presented at the competition for Best Christmas Product.
Next year we will be holding Tallinn FoodFair on 4 – 6 November 2009.
3rd day at the Tallinn FoodFest 2008
During the 3rd day at Tallinn FoodFest 2008 Jüri Gymnasium was chosen as The Best in School Catering. Tiiu Salumäe and Malle Malk were the two members of the winning team.
According to Vallo Kiviberg who was the head of the jury said that particulary good was their desert which was their cottage cheese dish with blueberry sauce. The main goal of the competition, organized by National Institute for Health Development, is to promote healthy food in schools. The work was judged by a jury formed of acknowledged food professionals in their field. The judgment criteria were professionalism, freshness, applicability of the food, the taste and the capability to prepare a meal in realistic school conditions.
The head of the professional jury was the C´est la Vie head chef Vallo Kiviberg and the competition was moderated by Martti Koppel.
Seven schools took part in the final competition; among others were Kiili -, Saku- and Pärnu Ülejõe Gymnasium, Paikuse Primary School and also Põlula- and Porkuni School. The best in school catering was announced for the third time.
Additional information:
Reelika Viitamees
National Institute for Health Development
phone: (+372) 659 3972
Best Christmas products were chosen
During the three days of Tallinn FoodFest the participants of the fest blind-tested to pick the best 2008 Christmas products in four categories: bakery products, meat products, mulled vine and beer.
The best Christmas products of 2008 in meat products are:
The best blood sausage- BBQ blood sausage by AS Rakvere Lihakombinaat
The best Christmas sausage- Owen sausage by AS Vastse - Kuuste Lihatööstus
Best blood dumpling- Blood dumpling with cheese by Rakvere Lihakombinaat
Best roast meat- Rannarootsi roast meat meat by AS Maag Lihatööstus
Surprise product- Owen ribs in baking box by AS Rakvere Lihakombinaat
The best Christmas products of 2008 in bakery are:
Christmas bread- Fruit breat by AS Eesti Pagar Gingerbread- Glazed gingerbread by AS Pere Leib Christmas cake- Christmas Cake by Pagaripoisid
Surprise product – Pealinna cake by AS Eesti Pagar
The best mulled vine is: Kardinal by AS Dunkri Kaubandus
And the best Christmas beer is: Jaeger beer by AS Puls Brewery
All products were tested by the blind-test whereas the evaluators had to take into account the smell, taste, content, consistence and the look of the product. Evaluators were asked to taste all the products that belonged to the same category and to give their opinion on a grading-sheet. During the three festival days, 2344 people were tested.
The organizer for this event was Profexpo in cooperation with AHOI-presentations.
Additional Information:
Angela Allik
FoodFest 2008 Press representative
mess.press@profexpo.ee
2nd day at the Tallinn FoodFest 2008
During the second day at the Tallinn FoodFest 2008 the Chef of the Year and the Waiter of the Year were announced.
The title of the Chef of Year 2008 went to Peeter Pihel from gastropub Gastro. The second place went to Rustam Tsikalovets restaurant Korsaar, and third to Anton Rostovtsev from restaurant Monaco.
Based on results of the semi-final, eight chefs were announced who were able to compete in the chef of the year final. In addition to the first three, there were also Julia Kvan from restaurant C'est la Vie, Märt Laugal from restaurant Aed, Taigo Lepik from Swisshotel Tallinn, Martin Meikas from Pädaste manor and Silver Teeääre from the restaurant Bergfeldt.
During the final, teams had to prepare an appetizer, a la carte main course and a dessert. The preparation time for meals was 4,5 hours. Each dish was made in 6 portions, from which one was put out for the FoodFest visitors to see and other 5 were for the jury to taste and evaluate.
The jury assessed the taste of the food, the look of the food, professionalism and organization of the work. The work was assessed by the jury of: Oleg Sõtsov, Jarmo Huuhtanen, Dimitri Demjanov, Gissur Gudmundsson and Kristjan Markii.
The chef of the year 2008 was the 14th event of uniting Estonian food, restaurant culture and Estonian kitchen. The winners of the Chef of the year during the years:
1995 Tarmo Kebbinau
1996 Eveli Limbach
1997 Anti Lepik
1998 Priit Toomits
1999 Edgars Kubetskis
2000 Hendrik Voolmaa
2001 Oleg Alasi
2002 Heidi Pinnak
2003 Vladislav Djatshuk
2004 Dmitri Bannikov
2005 Inga Paenurm
2006 Christen Agu
2007 Oleg Sõtsov
The Waiter of the Year title went for the second year in a row to Aron Rahu from the restaurant Dominic. The second place went to Kerttu Kübar from the restaurant Balthasar to and the third to Janek Kallavus from Carmen Catering. From the final competition held during the Tallinn FoodFest 2008 took part seven top waiters. Apart from the first three also:
Marek Bahovski, National Opera Estonia
Janno Hallik, restaurant Dominic
Allar Jürimets, Carmen Catering
Lenar Lehtla, restaurant Ribe
Paap Pihelgas, restaurant Balthasar
Merike Pärn, restaurant Monaco
Tarvo Sarapuu, restaurant Dominic
Stanislav Soloviev, restaurant Senso
Silver Tamm, Swisshotel Tallinn
Sirly Tammisaar, Tallink Spa
Janno Toht, trahter Postipoiss
Ave Toomjõe, Tallink Spa
Special awards went to:
Kerttu Kübar - Best coffee and cognac server Lenar Lehtla - Best wine opener
The work was judged by a jury formed of acknowledged professionals in their field. The judges were:
Siim Koovit – Tartu Hotel Dorpat
Heiko Hiller – Vinoteek Negoissant. Raine Jylhä – Helsinki Culinary School, professor
Raimo Saaremets – Fee Catering, manager;
Peep Peetersoo – Pärnumaa Vocational schools catering specialty teacher;
Ülle Tamsalu - Kuressaare Vocational School
The winners of the Waiter of the Year during the years:
1995 Margus Linkgreim
1996 Margus Linkgreim
1997 Angeli Jurs
1998 Argo Koppa
1999 Evely Kalberg
2000 Üllar Niitav
2001 Kristel Allikajaka
2002 Heiko Hiller
2003 Kärolin Metsanurm
2004 Jaanus Savisto
2005 Toomas Lillemets
2006 Mihkel Mägi
2007 Aron Rahu
Tallinn FoodFest 2008 takes place from 30th of October till 1st of November and brings a bouquet of pleasant aromas to the Estonian Fairs Centre as well as the joy of meeting you all once again. TFF continues the tradition of Tallinn food shows, which have been the main industry events for professionals from all food-related sectors since 1993
Further Information:
Angela Allik
Press representative of Tallinn FoodFest 2008
E-mail: mess.press@profexpo.ee
1st day at the FoodFest 2008
The Cookbook of the year title went to „Pidulikud pühapäevalõunad“ during Tallinn FoodFest, that began today. The publisher of the book is AS Ajakirjade Kirjastus.
„Suur kiirete ja tervislike retseptide raamat“ by Maalehe Kirjastus was announced as the best translation book. Also AS Varrak, AS Sinisukk, AS Äripäev, AS Atlex and Eesti Ekspressi Kirjastuse AS took part of the competition.
The purpose of the competition, created by Profexpo and Estonian Literature Union, is to give recognition to the writers and traditions of the Estonian cookbook scene.
During the last years competition the winner was Anni Arro with the book „Sepamaa talu”
The content, layout, practicality and overall quality were taken in consideration by the jury. Additionally, one recipe from each book was cooked by the students of the Tallinn Service School.
During the first day of Food Festival also the winner of the Young Chef of Year 2008 was elected. The winner is Joonas Koppel from Tallinn Vocational School.
The second place was taken by Vahur Kreitsman from Kehtna Economics and Technology School and worthy for the third place was acknowledged Natalia Shuparskaya from Narva Vocational Learning Centre.
The competition for the “Young Chef of the Year” is held by the Estonian Chefs Association and by the Estonian Board of Trade and Agriculture and is meant for Estonian vocational training schools. Apprentice of the Year competition was held for the fourth year in a row.
During the final, teams had to prepare an appetizer, a la carte main course and dessert. The preparation time for meals was 4,5 hours. The work was judged by the jury of the following professionals: Dimitri Rooz, Inga Paenurm, Andrei Šmakov, Oleg Sõtsnov, Janis Šiliniks from Latvia and Jarmo Huuhtanen from Finland.
Tiiu Parm, the student of Estonian Hotel and Tourism Industry private school, was chosen The Young Waiter of 2008 at the Tallinn FoodFest. The second place went to Lenar Lehtla from the same school and the third to Juri Püttsepp from Haapsalu Vocational School.
Ten students took part in the final. Theory, accuracy wine serving, folding of towels, serving the table and serving cheese and coffee were part of the competition.
The work was judged by a jury formed of acknowledged professionals in their field. The judges were:
Siim Koovit – Tartu Hotel Dorpat
Heiko Hiller – Vinoteek Negoissant. Raine Jylhä – Helsinki Culinary School, professor
Raimo Saaremets – Fee Catering, manager;
Peep Peetersoo – Pärnumaa Vocational schools catering specialty teacher;
Ülle Tamsalu- Kuressaare Vocational School
The competition of the young waiters was organized by Estonian Waiter and Waitress Union and Profexpo OÜ, the organizer of Tallinn FoodFest. All students from speciality vocational schools were invited to take part. The purpose of the competition is to promote the waiter and waitress specialty, to give the students a chance to show their skills and to promote the reputation of that specialty.
The Club Hollywood team of Aime Lõpp, Kristo Tomingas and Heinar Õispuu won this year’s Best Cocktail Maker competition Piccolo Grand Prix 2008. The 2nd place was won by Olymic Casino and 3rd by Bonnie & Clyde.
There was a record of 28 teams participating in this year event. The topic for the competition was „Cocktailworlds magic“
The main sponsor of this event was BOLS who gave out prizes to the best cocktail makers.
The winner of the Best before dinner cocktail was Tarvi Kongi from Club Spider. The winner of the best Long drink cocktail was Kelly Papp from Olympic Casino.
The Best after dinner coctail was made by Kristo Tomingas from Club Hollywood.
13th Piccolo Grand Prix is the team competition of bartenders held during the Tallinn FoodFest and it has the longest tradition. Teams of three members from different hotels, restaurants and bars are invited to compete.
Tallinn FoodFest 2008 takes place from 30th of October till 1st of November and brings a bouquet of pleasant aromas to the Estonian Fairs Centre as well as the joy of meeting you all once again. TFF continues the tradition of Tallinn food shows, which have been the main industry events for professionals from all food-related sectors since 1993
Further Information:
Angela Allik
Press representative of Tallinn FoodFest 2008
E-mail: mess.press@profexpo.ee
