The best herring products of this year’s Helsinki Herring Market have been selected

In keeping with the traditions of the opening day of Helsinki Baltic Herring Market, the Baltic herring jury consisting of food and urban culture experts has once again chosen the best herring products at the market. Pirjo and Reima Salonen from Taivassalo won both categories of the competition. Helsinki Baltic Herring Market will be at the Market Square until Saturday, 11 October.    

Since the 1970s, the Baltic herring jury, which has changing members, has chosen the three best fish products at Helsinki Baltic Herring Market in two different categories each year. This year, 6 products competed for the award for the best traditional pickled fish made from herring, i.e. the “Pickled Fish of the Year” category, and 15 products for the “Herring Surprise of the Year” category for more modern cold herring delicacies. The panel rated the products based on taste, appearance, smell and texture.

In the Herring Surprise series, the winner was announced as Pirjo ja Reima Salosen’s Dill Herring from Taivassalo. The jury was impressed by the traditional and beautiful presentation and the wonderful dill flavor. The second place in the series went to Kasala café restaurant’s chili herring, and third place went to Liisa Vainio from Taivassalo for her lemon garlic herring.

Pirjo and Reima Salonen also won the grand prize in the Pickled Fish of the Year category. The jury was particularly impressed by the product’s multidimensionality, balance of salt and sweetness, and good texture. The second prize went to Hannu Hellsten from Pyhtää, while Sami Antikainen from Kotka came in third. All the award-winning products are available at the vendors’ stalls as long as the products last.

The panel of judges consists of Miitta Sorvali, actor, Eino Missi, member of the Youth Council, Peter af Björksten, sous chef at Finland’s Swedish Food Academy, Maarit Vierunen, Deputy Mayor for Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services in Helsinki, Antto Melasniemi, chef-restaurateur and musician, Kia Arpia and Petra Wettenranta, food influencers, Sandra Mellgren from the Swedish-speaking Martha Association in Finland,  Lennart Petterson, Project Director at the City of Helsinki and restaurateur Mikko Leisti as well as a surprise guest—a great lover of herring dishes—Lorenz Backman, who came to visit the jury and taste the products. Backman did not participate in scoring the products.

Photo: Eeva Anundi