About us

Pastry Saimaa is a center of excellence in pastry arts emerging in South Karelia. The main idea behind it is to bring international top-level expertise to the region and create an environment in which pastry culture can flourish.

At the heart of the center are masterclasses, events, and coaching for competitions, all geared toward developing the field and strengthening networks both in Finland and abroad. The goal is not only to raise the region’s profile but also to introduce new inspiration and expertise to the entire pastry sector.

Pastry Saimaa is intended for students, educators, and already-established professionals in the pastry and restaurant sector. The center offers everyone in these groups the opportunity to grow, network, and share knowledge.

Additionally, Pastry Saimaa serves as a setting where entrepreneurs, partner organizations, and other interested parties can engage with top-level experts. The center strives to genuinely support the business sector in South Karelia, while also attracting attention from elsewhere in Finland and globally.

The primary goal is to build a new kind of center of expertise within the pastry sector, where international specialists and top Finnish professionals can create added value for each other. We also promote competition activities, encourage product innovation, and provide high-quality training for everyone in the field.

The center aims to foster a vibrant and community-driven “pastry family,” inspiring both new students and long-term professionals. Additionally, we seek to enhance the region’s international recognition and offer new opportunities for visitors and partners.

Pastry Saimaa offers businesses the opportunity to join product development workshops, training sessions, and competition-related activities. You can come with your own ideas, seek new recipes, or focus on developing your products and processes. The collaboration can be tailored to different needs, with the aim of keeping the barrier to participation as low as possible.

Companies can take advantage of the center’s equipment, international networks, and mentoring opportunities. Through this collaboration, you may find new business partners, receive support for product development, and discover potential future employees among the students.

We are happy to discuss your company’s needs—let’s find new solutions together!

Pastry Saimaa’s masterclasses are primarily intended for students of Saimaa Vocational College Sampo who are completing their pastry studies through apprenticeship programs. You can participate in Pastry Saimaa’s coaching or competition activities as a competitor, a coach or partner representative, depending on your expertise. If you’re planning to start a business in the sector or have an interest in pastry arts, you can have the opportunity to observe training days or workshops.

You can deepen your pastry skills and network with other professionals. You can apply to become a student at Sampo at www.edusampo.fi. Pastry Saimaa also provides international connections, offering genuinely valuable opportunities to broaden your perspective and bring fresh ideas to your work.