Meet Catarina Espirito Santo, a talented pastry chef from Portugal whose culinary journey has taken her from a Michelin starred restaurant in Lisbon to the budding food scene of Helsinki. Catarina’s story is a testament to how passion and determination can create opportunities in the world’s happiest capital.
Sweet
treats
“I’ve never seen so much snow in my life!”
For Catarina, Helsinki was meant to be the first stop on her Nordic tour, not the last. But she was won over by the blend of high-quality living, career opportunities, and access to nature.
Catarina arrived in Helsinki in January 2019, welcomed by one of the city’s heaviest snowfalls. “I remember stepping off the plane and thinking, ‘Oh my God, I’ve never seen so much snow in my life!’ But strangely, I didn’t feel like going back to Portugal,” she recalls. Though the snow wasn’t the deciding factor, the flat hierarchy of the culinary scene immediately captured her heart.
Armed with determination and a bit of sisu—a Finnish term for grit and perseverance—Catarina spent her first month visiting restaurants with her CV in hand. Her efforts paid off when she landed a chef de partie position with the well known Olo Group. “I thought I’d start as a commis chef, but Finland surprised me. I was trusted with more responsibility right away, and that trust has been key to my growth here.”
Grandma’s cookies
Catarina’s culinary journey began in her grandmother’s kitchen in Portugal, where her earliest memories included dipping her fingers into biscuit dough. “I was always around food,” she says with a smile. Her passion led her to pursue formal culinary education in Porto, opening doors to Michelin-starred restaurants in Lisbon.
But her curiosity for the Nordic lifestyle brought her to Helsinki, where long winters demand culinary creativity. “The limited seasonal ingredients push you to be inventive,” she explains. “You have to work smarter to make something extraordinary out of the seasons.”

Food
Wild

An ode to Helsinki food scene
Catarina’s culinary approach embodies the innovative food scene of Helsinki.
She explains, “I focus on bringing the warmth of Mediterranean flavours to the simplicity of Nordic cuisine.” Pairing styles has been a central theme in her work, creating dishes that are forward-thinking without compromising on simplicity.
Her pop-ups in Helsinki have been well-received, where she merges the strong flavours of Southern Europe with the clean and elevated presentation of the Nordics. “The contrast is what excites me. The ability to create something familiar but surprising.” One of her proudest moments was her “Ode to Helsinki” pop-up—“Each dish told a story of my roots, the Nordic simplicity I’ve embraced, and the vision I have for my future.”
Connections can change everything
Adapting to Helsinki isn’t just about navigating the snow. Like many newcomers, Catarina initially struggled with homesickness. But the city’s tight-knit restaurant community soon became a source of support.
“I didn’t have many friends at first, but over time, Helsinki’s restaurant community embraced me. And that’s what makes Helsinki special. It’s small, but you meet people quickly, and those connections can change everything.” she says.
At Restaurant Kuurna, one of Helsinki’s most beloved bistros, Catarina found not just a workplace but a second home. In her three years there Kuurna’s owners have helped Catarina grow both personally and professionally. “Tom and Laura became more to me than colleagues. They gave me the space to grow, to experiment, and to feel at home in Kuurna,” she shares with gratitude.

Vibes
Helsinki

That sense of community is what Catarina believes makes Helsinki stand out. “There’s so much potential here,” she notes. “The food scene is evolving, and there’s room for new voices and new ideas. If you’re an international talent on the search, Helsinki is your place.”
A multi-sensory experience from start to finish
Catarina’s got big dreams and ambition for Helsinki. She warmly says, “I want to bring something new to Helsinki’s food scene—something relaxed, fun, but unforgettable. A place where people can have a multi-sensory experience from start to finish,” she explains.

When she’s not creating culinary magic, Catarina finds inspiration in Helsinki’s connection to nature. Whether celebrating small victories by extending her running distance or braving icy dips in Merihaka, the city’s close-knit blend of urban life and natural retreats provides the perfect recharge for her creativity.
Her advice for those considering a move to Helsinki? “Be ready to work hard but know that you can find support. The trust and freedom available here is incredible, it pushes you to become the best version of yourself. It’s challenging but so rewarding.”