Two kinds of hams and other delicious pairings – Viking Line’s Christmas buffet provides taste sensations from both sides of the Gulf of Bothnia
There is no Christmas atmosphere without the traditional dishes – for either Finns or Swedes. This year, people can compare Christmas food traditions found in Viking Line’s Christmas buffet in a greater variety of ways than ever before. Two hams take pride of place – grey-salted and red-salted.
This year, Viking Line’s Christmas buffet has a Nordic theme, which means traditional Finnish and Swedish Christmas dishes, modern versions of them and a variety of vegetarian dishes, many of which are also vegan. The menu was created in partnership with the executive chefs on Viking Line’s vessels and the Swedish Culinary Team. More than a hundred dishes will be served in the Christmas buffet.
“At Viking Line, every single person will get exactly the Christmas they want. The traditional Christmas dishes are always popular, but on the other hand people have always been up for trying new things when they’re on board. Many people today prefer lighter food than in the past, for Christmas too. So through the years, we’ve added an ever growing number of fresh and Christmas-y vegetarian dishes to our Christmas buffet,” says Janne Lindholm, restaurant manager at Viking Line.
An estimated 200,000 passengers take part in the Christmas buffet on Viking Line’s vessels, and sustainability plays an important role when the Christmas buffet is being planned.
“We’ve reduced the number of dishes slightly but at the same time we’ve invested more and more in quality and the presentation of food. To reduce food waste, many dishes are served in portions. We only use eggs from free-range chickens. When we serve Baltic bleak roe, we use all parts and smoke it. Eel is a threatened species so we no longer serve eel,” says Janne Lindholm.
Competing traditions at the Christmas buffet
Grey-salted & red-salted ham
In Finland, grey-salted ham takes pride of place at the Christmas table, while Swedes eat red-salted ham. This year, for the first time on Viking Line’s vessels, the person carving the ham will ask customers whether they want Finnish or Swedish ham on their plate, or some of each. There’s not much difference in flavour, but Finnish ham is a bit more well-done, with a more tender texture.
Potato casserole & Jansson’s Temptation
For Finns, it’s not Christmas without potato casserole and turnip casserole. Last year, almost the same quantity of each casserole was served in the vessels’ Christmas buffets, with turnip casserole having a slight edge. Surprisingly, carrot casserole was most popular.
“This shows that our Swedish Christmas guests have also tried the carrot casserole. Their traditional Christmas dish is Jansson’s Temptation, a potato casserole with cream and sprats. Otherwise, Swedes have no interest in casseroles,” says Janne Lindholm.
Rosoll & herring salad
Rosoll, or beet salad, is a classic dish in the Finnish Christmas buffet. On the other side of the bay, people eat herring salad, another variant of beet salad, at Christmas. The name reflects how the Swedish version differs from the Finnish version, given the added ingredient. Herring salad is served on Cinderella and Rosella, while rosoll is served on Viking Line’s other vessels.
Mustard herring & aquavit herring
The fish buffet is an essential part of Christmas at Viking Line, and the preferences of both Finnish and Swedish passengers have been taken into consideration. Salmon is served in different forms: baked, marinated, hot-smoked and as part of a smoked salmon mousse.
“Finns would probably protest if there was no mustard herring or onion herring in the buffet. Swedes prefer aquavit herring, for example. This year, we’re flavouring herring with horseradish and fennel,” notes Janne Lindholm.
Rice à la Malta & a house of candy
At the dessert buffet, Swedes have traditionally chosen rice à la Malta, flavoured with candied orange peel. The Finnish equivalent could be rice pudding with plum sauce, but it’s not included on Viking Line’s Christmas menu this year.
“Finns don’t have any Christmas dessert that’s an absolute must. So we’re spoiling our passengers with cheeses, ice cream and a house of candy made with 14 kinds of sweets, from fudge and fruit jellies to different kinds of chocolate truffles. This year, our customers also get a prepared plate with desserts served at the table.”
The Christmas buffet is served on Viking Line’s vessels from November 11 to December 26 this year.
For further information, please contact:
Janne Lindholm, Manager, Viking Line Restaurants
janne.lindholm@vikingline.com, tel. +358 400 744 806
Johanna Boijer-Svahnström, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
johanna.boijer@vikingline.com, tel. +358 18 270 00
Christa Grönlund, Communications Manager
christa.gronlund@vikingline.com, tel. +358 9 123 51
