As I am the author of this and Supper Tale substacks, I might bend the rules and post even more often than just bi-weekly. But always at least every even week here, and odd week there. Supper Tale is such a big part of my life nowadays, but I still sometimes find it hard to describe what we do and what it means to me. Writing about it here provides such a great platform to change that, so here we go.
Listening to Mel Robbins these past few days has already had a great impact on me. She’s so funny! She’s so clever! She’s so confident and makes me believe that I can be, too. I’ve been speaking about my writing a little bit more publicly and not shying away from it. I have a tendency to play it small sometimes, but I am learning to embrace my unique chaos.
The latest Supper Tale edition felt particularly special to write because we shared some of our upcoming events for February. January already set the bar high with Aram’s fantastic supper clubs, which sold out incredibly fast. We were lucky enough to attend the second one during a weekend trip to Turku, and we loved every second of it.
After checking into Bob W in the city centre on the last Friday of January, we headed to Forum Sauna, then returned to the hotel to recharge before going out for dinner. We slept for a blissful 12 hours, woke up to a beautifully sunny first day of February, and later made our way to Aram’s.
We have an international event on Valentine’s Day.
Let me just take a moment to soak that in (as it’s pretty cool that we’re hosting international events with a company that’s still a toddler at 1.5 years old). We have an international event. A little proud moment, because it’s not even our first one! We’re incredibly grateful for our Tale-Tellers, who work their magic with food and people across different European cities.
This time, we’re collaborating with Bar Manifest, a Finnish-owned wine bar in Barcelona. We met one of the co-founders last summer when we catered his dad’s wedding, and his business partner is someone whose artwork we’ve admired both in Helsinki and online (and in swimwear!). It’s funny how the world works and how small (and magical) it often feels. We couldn’t be more excited for some sunny days in Barcelona and to spend Valentine’s Day (in Finland, the love-day focuses on all kinds of love and means Friends’ Day) eating cake by the fabulous Sofia with specially selected wine pairings in Bar Manifest.
We might be a little biased, but there’s something truly magical about supper clubs. The shared decision of everyone in the room to spend their time with people they’ve never met creates an atmosphere that’s a mix of electric, cosy, and welcoming. There isn’t really forced small talk, but rather stories shared over candlelight and the warmth of strangers turning into friends.
At the last supper club, we were nine in total, including Aram. A couple, both nurses with funny anecdotes about their profession and their corgi, Colin, and two friends from the restaurant industry. A blonde girl in a stunning white dress, handpicked by our host, was a supper club guest once before last March. Now, almost a year later, she is one of Aram’s closest friends/something like a wifey; her roommate. She sat next to her boyfriend, who’s been putting things in order in the flat, like hanging the gorgeous chandelier that greets you in the hallway.
The thing about supper clubs is they sneak up on you. You show up, maybe a little unsure, but then suddenly it’s hours later, your cheeks hurt from laughing, and you’re feeling warm all over.
If you’ve ever felt even a tiny spark of curiosity about joining one, this is your sign. No pressure or expectations: just good food, good people, and a seat waiting for you, as on Sunday, 23rd February, Aram does it again! There are still a couple of seats left for this one, and I’d love for you to experience the magic for yourself. You can book your seat here. You won’t regret it. I can say that wholeheartedly, having just experienced the latest one and still reminiscing about it happily.
That same morning, Iida will host a breakfast at 2 Steps Gallery, located within Duotone on Eerikinkatu 48, Helsinki. You can expect a 3-course breakfast accompanied by speciality coffee brewed by yours truly. At the end of last year, I briefly took on a role as a manager in a coffee house, brushing up on my long-lost barista skills. I never quite mastered the craft before the position wrapped up after an intense month and a half, but I am genuinely excited to be steaming milk and attempting latte art again in just a few weeks. You’re welcome to as many refills as you can handle because I can’t wait to have another go behind the coffee machine.
My plan is that every odd week, on Monday, I will update Supper Tale. In those bi-weekly updates, we’ll share what we’ve been up to and what’s on the horizon. One of the posts I am planning features an interview with our brilliant, hard-to-put-into-words Tale-Teller, the beautiful Coco. It’ll include a recipe for her cookies – the same ones she made for us last October, which we’ve been comparing every other cookie to ever since. She generously shared the recipe, and I am ashamed to admit I haven’t tried to recreate them yet. I’ll fix that soon, I promise!
Every even week (and clearly sometimes, on the odd week too), I’ll be updating this one. This is a space for questions and reflections that shape my ongoing journey of self-discovery and connection. First and foremost, I am a storyteller at heart and feel incredibly lucky to be pursuing a Master’s degree in comparative literature. This Substack is my attempt to capture the inner workings of a first-time entrepreneur juggling thesis prep and the whole “living life for the first time” thing.
Having said that, let me get back to emails and thesis prep. But first – coffee! One definitely needs all the help they can get on these gloomy February days in the Northern hemisphere.
Wishing you a very happy Monday, even if it’s grey and cold outside and you might be feeling a bit tired or blah. Such is life sometimes! But it’s still beautiful and full of fantastic things. Go for a walk, move your body, say something kind to someone. Maybe even smile at a stranger –or, if you’re feeling especially brave, strike up a conversation.
As I am writing this, the skies outside my window are starting to show a hint of blue behind the heavy clouds. There might even be a little sunshine. Could it be?!
I hope you have a wonderful week and something lovely planned for Friday, whether you’re treating yourself to small acts of kindness and little luxuries, spending time with friends, or with someone you love.