Once upon a time in the quaint town of Joensuu, Eeva Korhonen, a visionary with a heart full of wanderlust and a palate seasoned by the world, decided to weave her love for Northeast Asian cuisine into the fabric of her Finnish homeland. Thus, the idea of Gastronome Grill & Bistro was born.
Eeva’s reputation as a connoisseur of Asian flavours had preceded her, and whispers of her culinary venture spread far and wide. It wasn’t long before Kenji Virtanen, a half-Japanese, half-Finnish chef with a soulful connection to ramen, heard of Eeva’s dream. Intrigued by the prospect of fusing his heritage into innovative dishes, he reached out to Eeva, and together, they laid the foundation for a menu that would tell stories of lands both near and far.
Word continued to travel, crossing oceans and touching hearts. Lani Ahonen, a Fijian-Finnish Grill Master, found her way to Eeva’s door, her spirit alight with the tales of love that had brought her to Finland. Her mastery over flames and spices promised a dance of flavours that would become the heartbeat of the bistro.
From the bustling streets of Hong Kong, Sophia Leung, a diligent student who had made Finland her home, joined the team as the Floor Manager. Her keen eye for detail and her ability to orchestrate the symphony of service were the final notes in Eeva’s ensemble.
And then there was Joonas Park, a half-Korean, half-Finnish Head Server, whose journey from Seoul to Joensuu was fueled by his quest for knowledge and work. His warm smile and gracious manners became the welcoming embrace of the bistro.
Together, they created a place where every dish served was a mosaic of their collective experiences, a place that wasn’t just a restaurant but a destination where every meal was a journey, and every flavour told a story of unity, love, and the magic of coming together.
And so, Gastronome Grill & Bistro became not just Eeva’s dream, but a shared canvas where each stroke was a spice, each colour a taste, and the masterpiece was a testament to the beauty of diverse cultures simmering together in one pot. It’s a home away from home, and you can often see the staff hanging out together even outside the work. 🍜🌏🔥
