On June 1-2 2026, Pinecrest Villa partnered with Natural Nordic (Naturalnordic.fi) to host an extraordinary culinary workshop. Set against the breathtaking seaside scenery of Porvoo, the event brought together passionate food professionals and celebrated chefs for two inspiring days of cooking, learning, and enjoying the finest flavors of Finland.
The workshop featured renowned Finnish master chef Mika Jokela, Chef Pierre from Switzerland, and Chef Saki from Restaurant Murasaki in Helsinki. Together, they created a unique experience that highlighted the richness of Nordic ingredients and culinary traditions.
Chef Mika Jokela designed three outstanding menus that showcased the versatility and beauty of Finnish natural products. Natural Nordic supplied the dried wild mushrooms, dried berries, and aromatic herb powders harvested from Finland's pristine forests.
Throughout the workshop, participants enjoyed not only the delicious meals but also the opportunity to exchange ideas and techniques with experienced chefs from different culinary backgrounds. The combination of international expertise and local ingredients created a truly unique atmosphere.
One of the highlights of the event was the cooking environment itself. The chefs delighted in preparing meals in Pinecrest Villa's modern kitchen, which offers stunning views of the sea. Equally enjoyable were the outdoor cooking sessions in the villa's grill pergolas, where open-fire cooking added a special dimension to the culinary experience.
The tranquil coastal surroundings, fresh sea air, and natural beauty of the yard perfectly complemented the flavors of the dishes. The harmony between nature, exceptional ingredients, and culinary craftsmanship created an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
We are grateful to Chef Mika Jokela, Chef Pierre, Chef Saki, and all participants for making this event such a remarkable success. Beyond creating exceptional meals, the workshop also served as a practical exploration of how Finland's natural products can be incorporated into modern fine dining cuisine. The chefs experimented with Natural Nordic's wild mushrooms, wild berry powders, and wild herb powders, discovering innovative ways to enhance flavors, textures, and presentation. The results demonstrated that these carefully sourced natural ingredients can successfully bridge traditional Nordic food heritage and contemporary fine dining.
We would like to thank the photographer Alpo from Studio Aarre (Studioaarre.com), who expertly documented the entire workshop.
We look forward to welcoming more culinary enthusiasts, chefs, and food lovers to Pinecrest Villa for future workshops and unforgettable gastronomic adventure.
We welcomed our very first local school group in May. On a beautiful sunny spring day, more than 20 enthusiastic students arrived to enjoy a memorable outdoor learning experience surrounded by nature.
The students participated in a guided fishing activity led by experienced professionals, giving them the opportunity to learn new skills while enjoying the peaceful waters around Pinecrest. Throughout the day, they also explored and captured the stunning natural scenery that makes our area so unique.
To further enhance our guests' experience, Pinecrest Villa invested in a new party tent this year. Together with our wooden grill pergolas, this area creates a comfortable and relaxing environment for groups of up to 40 people. Whether enjoying outdoor meals, educational activities, or simply spending time together, guests now have even more convenient and sheltered spaces to gather and connect.
We are delighted to have hosted this wonderful school visit and look forward to welcoming more groups, families, and nature lovers to Pinecrest Villa in the future.
After a peaceful and well-deserved winter break, we’re excited to be back in full swing and ready to welcome guests old and new to Pinecrest Villa.
As we kick off 2026, we’ve already launched two meaningful projects to improve your stay and our island home:
Building a Deer‑Resistant Flower & Vegetable Farm
Living on a beautiful island also means sharing space with plenty of animals. For the past four years, we’ve tried growing flowers and vegetables, only to find we needed double or even triple the effort to protect them, especially deer.
This year, we’re taking a more sustainable approach: building a proper, deer‑proof farm. Soon we’ll have a thriving space for flowers, herbs, and veggies — without the constant battle with wildlife!
Pond Cleaning & Ecosystem upgrade
We’re also cleaning our outdoor pond thoroughly and improving its overall ecosystem.
Our goal is simple: to create an even cleaner, more relaxing, and enjoyable outdoor space for you to unwind.
We can’t wait to share these improvements with you and keep making Pinecrest Villa feel like a peaceful, well‑loved home away from home.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Pinecrest Villa this year.
Here’s to a wonderful 2026 — filled with sunshine, nature, and great memories.
