Les Amis - Long live professionalism!
TABLE IS SET FOR ALL OF US
Les Amis is French and means “friends.” In Finland, vocational students are informally called “amis students.”
Les Amis is a campaign by Medanta that highlights the value of vocational education, expertise in the restaurant industry, and a working life where there is a place for everyone. The campaign’s message is captured in the idea of a shared table: the restaurant industry is built on professionalism, collaboration, and the opportunity for people to join, learn, and grow.
Les Amis is not a single event, but part of long-term work to promote professional skills, vocational education, and a better working life. We welcome everyone to join us at the shared 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.
The campaign's main event
The main event of the Les Amis campaign took place on April 14th in Helsinki, at Studio Skaala. The Les Amis campaign brought together restaurant professionals, students, media, and decision-makers.
A three-course lunch prepared by restaurant Kuurna, a panel discussion, and curated table discussions formed a cohesive whole during the day.
The present and future of the restaurant industry were examined both on stage and at the tables, where discussions continued on themes of education, appreciation, equality, well-being at work, entrepreneurship, culture, and responsibility.
The campaign's main event served as a reminder that the future of the restaurant industry is built together: through expertise, collaboration, and by ensuring that the people involved in the industry's daily life, training new professionals, and deciding its future conditions, all participate in the same discussion.
We rewarded the makers of the future!
The Les Amis event concluded with two significant recognitions that encapsulated the day's message.
The Future Hope 2026 scholarship was awarded to Brandon Laas from Keuda Keski-Uudenmaan Koulutusyhtymä Mäntsälä campus in Central Uusimaa.
Additionally, the Future Driving Force award was presented for the first time, going to Hyria teacher Janika Puustinen.
The recognitions aimed to highlight both emerging talents and the teachers and instructors who support their growth, believe in them, and help them find their place in the industry.
"Les Amis is not just an event. It's a reminder that the restaurant industry is much more than just a job: it's a force that builds professionalism, culture, and community."
2024 Campaign
Les Amis Restaurant stands for the value and importance of vocational training.
Vocational education is still associated with unnecessary prejudice, for example, compared to general upper secondary education, even though none of us would want to live in a Finland where there were no chefs, for instance.
Professions, studies, and education levels are easily ranked in order of value, but one thing is certain: Finland needs more doers, skilled professionals—all of us—now and in the future.
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.
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.
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
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