LES AMIS - Long live professionalism.
A STAND FOR THE VALUE AND IMPORTANCE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION.
Les Amis is French and means friends. In Finland, vocational school students are affectionately called "amikset.
There are still unnecessary prejudices associated with vocational education, for example, compared to upper secondary school, even though hardly any of us would want to live in a Finland where there were no chefs, for example.
Professions, studies, and educational levels are easily ranked, but one thing is certain: Finland needs more workers, skilled professionals, all of us, now and in the future.
Les Amis Restaurant stands for the value and importance of vocational training.
2025 / 2026 campaign
TABLE IS SET FOR ALL OF US
Les Amis is a statement through which Medanta expresses its love for culinary vocational students – both future professionals and those already working in the field.
The 2024 Les Amis – Long Live Professional Skills campaign was our first statement in support of the value and importance of vocational education. This year’s Les Amis campaign invites everyone to take part in building a working life where there is a place for all, regardless of background.
We welcome everyone to gather around the same table.
Ambassador of the campaign Linnea Vihonen
Top chef and food designer Linnea Vihonen is the main ambassador of the 2025/26 Les Amis campaign. The campaign will start in the fall of 2025 with a school tour to vocational schools around Finland.
"I hope that I can also inspire and ignite a spark in young people entering working life through my own example," says Linnea Vihonen.
Award for a rising star in the restaurant industry
Promise of the Future Award
Medanta awarded the Promise of the Future Award scholarship to 21-year-old Denis Aliaksiuk, who graduated from Omnia and is currently studying at Haaga-Helia. The criteria for the scholarship were attitude and passion for doing and learning, so this was not a skill-based recognition. Denis is really motivated to develop and challenge himself. Despite his young age, Denis has already shown his skills in several competitions in the field - the Finnish Young Chefs Championship, the Mestarikoulu and Taitaja - and he says he loves competing.
Les Amis Restaurant stands for the value and importance of vocational training.
Top chef and restaurateur Henri Alén’s restaurant Fiasco? transformed into Les Amis restaurant for two special dinners. The pop-up restaurant was created in collaboration with Medanta and students from Perho Culinary School, serving delicious dishes in celebration of their vocational training.
Restaurateur Henri Alén
Why Les Amis?
“I graduated from vocational school ("amis") in 1997, and ever since I’ve had the privilege of working in one of the finest professions. I believe all work is valuable, and every one of us is needed to keep society running and to contribute to the common good. Les Amis is an event that celebrates professional skills and encourages young people to follow what feels right in their hearts,” says Henri Alén.
Perho students in the kitchen of Les Amis restaurant
Perho's second-year restaurant students took over the kitchen under the gentle guidance of Fiasco's professionals and their teacher Petri Wainio. They prepared a three-course gourmet menu.
The common challenge is to raise the appreciation of the vocational degree.
The day's event was attended by representatives from nearly ten different vocational schools, representatives of educational organizations, top chefs, and influencers.
Henri Alén opened the event and reminded the guests of the importance of professional competence. He said that studying to be a chef had been a completely clear goal for him. In the same breath, he expressed his concern about the lack of appreciation for vocational education.
The image of vocational education has been distorted and is too often seen as a second option. Alén emphasized that young people should be able to study what feels good, and in general, everyone should respect the fact that someone has chosen to study a profession for themselves. He also reminded them of how the profession of chef gives students freedom from the outside world and brings countless international opportunities.
The speeches and discussion were really lively after this opening.
Professional fashion house Medanta
We help businesses and professionals thrive and grow.
Medanta designs and manufactures products for the healthcare and restaurant industries, among others. Our mission is to dress professionals in work wear that looks and feels good.
Medanta's philosophy of responsible workwear includes appreciating all professions and striving to make worklife better through functionality with the help of workwear.
More information about the campaign
SALLA CEDER
Marketing Coordinator
salla.ceder@medanta.fi
+358 50 354 0033