Back on stage – why I love Sthlm Food & Wine
Coming back as a moderator at Sthlm Food & Wine is a pleasure – every time. I have many balls in the air; my own restaurants, various assignments and projects, but these three days in November are something very special. Maybe it’s because they fall in the middle of the most horrible of months, when we step into a huge room and fill it with food, drink, chocolate, pastries – and so much desire and joy!
It is the shared passion of both visitors and guests on stage that makes the energy in the room so palpable. Everyone is there for the same thing – the desire for the good things in life. In this crowd, I get to step in as the link between the enthusiast on stage and the audience who are there to be inspired, taste and experience. It’s a role I love – even if it’s not always easy.
It’s a busy schedule, and of course things can go wrong. Some raw material is missing, someone else is nervous – it might even be the first time someone is cooking on stage – or the technology is not working. But my driving force is to give both the participants and the audience the best possible experience. That’s why I come back year after year. I love being part of this joy.
The mix makes the magic on stage
When I am asked who my dream guest is at the fair, I cannot single out one person. All guests are dream guests in their own way. Often I don’t know much about them beforehand, but every time I get to learn something new, taste something unexpected and get inspired. It’s that wild mix of guests that I love – big and small, food and drink, technical knowledge and flair. A mix that offers something for everyone and makes every year unique. And yes, sometimes I stop in the middle of it all and think: “This… this is actually my job!”
Trends to watch in 2025
Right now, I’m a bit curious if we’ve actually seen the end of the snack era. Maybe it’s time for three-course meals to make a comeback? Maybe someone will soon release a book about classic dinners with red wine sauce and meringue sauce?
At the same time, I still see Asian flavors – not least Korean – continuing to dominate. Combinations like Korea meets Peru have already started to appear. So what will be the next big flavor meeting? Indian-Italian? Middle Eastern meets Nordic? Whatever it is, I am convinced that cultural gastronomic clashes will continue to fascinate and inspire.
It’s always worth looking around and taking in impressions from different parts of the world, there’s so much to take in.
Maximize your experience – my top tips
For those of you planning to visit Sthlm Food & Wine this year – here are my top tips for getting the most out of the days:
First of all: comfortable shoes and pants with elastic are a must! You’ll be walking, standing, tasting, talking, experiencing – and you want to feel comfortable. And remember – every other water 😊
Plan in advance. Check out the program and circle what you absolutely do not want to miss on stage. Which exhibitors do you want to talk to? What do you want to taste? What do you want to take home?
And don’t forget – this is the perfect opportunity to get your Christmas shopping done. There really is something for everyone: young, old, foodies or just the curious. You can walk around in peace and quiet, enjoy everything on offer – and then go home with both your bags and your heart full.
See you in November – I can’t wait!
/Sandra Mastio