The Chef Academy is our unique concept, designed to train our chefs to the top of the industry. This unique training program in Finland enhances our chefs’ professional skills and prepares them for success in industry competitions.
The purpose of the program is to coach chefs who are interested in competing and excelling in industry contests, such as Chef of the Year and Young Chef of the Year, helping them achieve even better results. In addition to competition readiness, the Chef Academy aims to support the professional growth and development of our staff.
The Chef Academy is a one-year training program that was launched for the first time at the beginning of 2025. Each year, around ten chefs from our hotel chain’s restaurants across the country are selected to participate. The program’s trainers include our own award-winning chefs as well as visiting top professionals.
"We have a tremendous amount of professional competence and a strong competitive background, and now this expertise can be utilised more extensively at the entire chain level. Several of our professionals have achieved great success in the industry’s competitions, and the aim is to continue to grow new talents among Finland’s top chefs,” says Tero Mäntykangas, Head Chef at Lapland Hotels and creator of the Chef Academy concept.
Chef Academy 2025
Coaches
Tero Mäntykangas
Who are you?
I am Tero Mäntykangas, the Head Chef at Lapland Hotels. I am responsible for the food products, their development, and new projects.
How did the idea for Chef Academy come about?
The desire to coach young talents, make them stronger, and give them the opportunity and tools to reach the peaks of the fells.
What do you want to teach the trainees through the Chef Academy?
Passion for the craft, ambition, and professionalism in the kitchen.
What is the most important lesson from your own career?
To be humble but not to humble oneself.
Your favorite ingredient?
My stomach can’t handle anything but reindeer – everything from snout to tail works for me.
Your motto?
If it comes easy, it only makes you soft.
Kim Slotte
Who are you?
I am Kim Slotte, Head Chef at Lapland Hotels Arena and the Head Coach of the Chef Academy.
What do you want to teach the trainees through the Chef Academy?
I want to share my passion for the restaurant industry and help participants push their limits in competition settings. Everyday work and competition strongly support each other, and all the effort put into competing can be fully transferred to daily tasks in terms of organization, efficiency, and cleanliness.
What is the most important lesson from your career as a chef?
Failure is allowed - what you do afterward defines you as a professional.
Your favorite ingredient?
Right now, I’m really into celeriac, and I would prepare a deep, umami-rich celeriac broth.
Your motto?
Nothing comes for free.
Ismo Sipeläinen
Who are you?
I am Ismo Sipeläinen, a 34-year-old chef and the winner of Chef of the Year 2015.
What made you join the Chef Academy?
It’s great to be part of a project from the very beginning – one that creates opportunities for employees to develop professionally. Not to mention how Lapland Hotels is also looking to evolve their own operations at the same time. I’m looking forward to seeing how the academy takes shape.
What do you want to teach the trainees through the Chef Academy?
Perhaps how small details come together to form a bigger picture.
What is the most important lesson from your career as a chef?
There’s always something new to learn.
Your favorite ingredient?
Onion – extremely versatile and suitable for so many uses.
Don't stay lying in the fire.
