Dinners like this don’t come around very often in Helsinki. On Thursday September 17, the British Ambassador’s residence in Kaivopuisto will open its doors to the public for one night only as Brit Pop, an organiser of international wine and food events, arrives in Helsinki.
The kitchen will be headed up by chef Kai Semple, who grew up in London and is now based in Copenhagen. He puts a modern spin on Caribbean classics, drawing particular inspiration from the food cultures of Jamaica and Trinidad.
Despite the grand setting of the Ambassador’s residence, this won’t be a stiff, formal affair. Semple’s food philosophy centres on boldly spiced dishes designed for sharing, served in a warm and informal atmosphere.
Jerk spices, goat curry and British wines
The evening’s menu includes plantain nuggets, jerk skewers and a goat curry based on Semple’s grandmother’s recipe, served with potatoes and Caribbean rice and peas.
The plant-based option is a wild mushroom and okra curry. Dinner ends with a dessert made with mango, meringue and passion fruit.
The menu and setting alone would make this an interesting evening, but there’s a third draw: British wines. A different wine has been selected for each course, with four English producers presenting their bottles: Domaine Hugo from Wiltshire, Langham from Dorset, Lyme Bay from Devon and Whitewolfe from Kent. The winemakers themselves will be there to talk about their wines.
Similar Brit Pop events have previously been held in cities including Paris and London. After Helsinki, the next Brit Pop will take place in New York.
The €70 ticket includes a four-course dinner and four glasses of wine. The event is for adults aged 18 and over. It’s worth booking your place early, as you’ll need to provide your name in advance for security checks.
British Ambassador’s residence, Itäinen Puistotie 15–17, Helsinki. Thursday September 17 2026, 19.30–22.30.