Tallink à la carte restaurants offer the winning menu of the Chefs’ competition

Starting from last week, the à la carte restaurants of Tallink Grupp's vessels offer a three-course menu by Antti Asikainen and Jussi Verronen from Baltic Princess, who won first place in the Tallink Silja Line Chef of the Year competition. The chefs' personal favorite is the main course featuring corn-fed chicken.

"Our goal was to create the best possible menu from start to finish – to balance flavors from the very first bite to the last and deliver a complete culinary experience that everyone can enjoy," said Antti Asikainen and Jussi Verronen, the menu’s authors. The Champions Menu pays tribute to Nordic culinary identity by combining local ingredients, respect for the land, and elevated techniques. Each dish tells a story: from the sea kissed cod cheek starter, to the richly layered corn fed chicken main course, to the vibrant beetroot and chocolate finale.

The chefs especially recommend the main course of corn-fed chicken and parsnips. "The competition required using a whole chicken, and maximizing its use to extract all possible flavors was challenging, but something we feel we succeeded in. The dish brings all elements together, creamy textures lifted by acidity, complemented by crisp skin," said Asikainen and Verronen.

Both chefs have worked on Tallink Silja Line ships for a long time: Jussi since 2017 and Antti since 2013. During this time, they have both participated in the chefs' competition twice. Antti Asikainen is already a two-time winner, as he was part of the golden team in 2023. "The competition is challenging and offers the opportunity to learn new techniques. It brings something different compared to everyday kitchen work," says Asikainen. Jussi Verronen, who came third in 2024, added that the competition brings excitement and joy, the chance to challenge yourself, and strengthens teamwork.

The Champions Menu is available until 12 May 2026 in all à la carte restaurants of Tallink Grupp ships: Grill House on Baltic Queen and Victoria I, Tavolata on Silja Serenade and Silja Symphony, Chef's Kitchen on MyStar, Megastar and also on board Victoria I, and Happy Lobster on Baltic Princess.

The price of the three-course menu is 55 euros, a 10% discount is applied to Club One members.

The Tallink Silja Line Chef of the Year 2025 competition took place last November in cooperation with the Estonian Chefs Association. The chefs prepared their dishes in front of an audience, and a high-level international jury judged them.