In Helsinki, a building that was once a slaughterhouse became the “Kellohalli,” a food venue that hosts events, food festivals and workshops. The site is at the core of the food and cooking revival in the city and integrates local food, urban gardening, and pop-up restaurants.
The center is part of a urban revival initiative by the City of Helsinki. In the new Kellohalli, any businesses that make and sell food can find a home, and groups that want to try out new food related ideas are encouraged to use the space. This Fall a series of food and design events were hosted in the space as part of the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 event, where events related to design happened in the city throughout the year.
In the Kellohalli, there has been a “pop-down” restaurant, a food eatery which was located 1000 feet below ground in an old mine. Food in Helsinki often is comprised of mushrooms, fresh herbs including dill, salmon (the most fresh fish I ever have eaten) and many other ingredients that grow in the woods.
As part of the center’s programming, there is a courtyard where flea markets, plants swaps, block parties, and exhibitions were held this past year. The city has a “food culture strategy, ” which includes a goal that 50 percent of the food at the city’s day-care center are local and organic by 2015.
Last weekend at the Kellohalli, there was a Farmer’s Market and “Culinary Treasure Market” At the market, food from twenty food producers were for sale including mushrooms, jellies, cheeses, condiments, juices, breads, vegetables, knives, wool and Christmas trees. At the Culinary Treasure Market, everyone in the community was welcome to sell things food-related which could be recipes, pans, pots, cups, aprons, and food treats.
Next time I am in Finland I plan to check out the Kellohalli, and nibble on mushrooms and berries maybe at a event, exhibition, or in the pop-down restaurant.
Images:
http://www.teurastamo.com/en/kuvagalleria.html
Links: