The winner of Fazer's Reissumies Mestarileipuri competition was Nina Åström, a passionate home baker from Hämeenlinna. The Mestarileipuri (master baker) concept brings consumers to the core of Fazer Bakery's product development, further enriching Finnish bread culture. The awarded rye bread, Oululainen Reissumies Mestarileipuri Rosemary and Sea Salt, is now available in stores across Finland.
Almost a hundred of talented home bakers took part in the second Mestarileipuri competition, three finalists were selected. The final round of baking took place at Fazer’s Lahti bakery, and the winner was the rye bread seasoned with rosemary and sea salt created by Nina Åström.
Anna Kanerva, Vice President, Marketing of Fazer Bakery Finland, said:
Finland has a rich bread culture, and we utilize this competition to give those interested in baking the opportunity to participate in product development and contribute to diversifying Finnish bread culture and variety. The Mestarileipuri competition is a way to activate enthusiastic home bakers and discover new bread recipes. We want our Reissumies brand to remain contemporary and engage consumers in product development.
The Oululainen Reissumies Mestarileipuri Rosemary and Sea Salt bread created by Nina Åström brings welcome variety to the rye bread selection. The product is baked using Finnish flour from Fazer’s own mill. Nina’s winning recipe was inspired by the culinary worlds of seasoned breadsticks and focaccia.
Nina Åström, said:
The idea actually just popped into my head. I love making breadsticks from leftover pieces of bread and seasoning them with different spices. My favourite spice is rosemary, and I thought of combining it with the taste of rye.
I love baking. It makes me happy. I'm the most enthusiastic home baker in my family – and indeed in my entire extended family. I like to experiment with combining and trying new tastes and recipes, or mixing older recipes with new toppings
The Oululainen Mestarileipuri product series will also be expanded in 2025, when the next Reissumies bread made with a consumer-created recipe will arrive in stores. A whopping 300 recipe ideas were submitted for the third Master Baker competition, and the winner will be decided at the final round in June 2024.