Now in its fourth year, the International Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch in Finland has become a cornerstone of B3CF’s charitable and cultural calendar. Held once again in the elegant surroundings of Svenska Klubben, the event brought together a distinguished group of guests in support of His Majesty’s Armed Forces veterans, many of whom now call Finland home.
A particularly notable highlight was the attendance of John Cookson, who travelled from London to join the event in full Light Cavalry uniform as a member of the Honourable Artillery Company. The Light Cavalry, established by Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth II in 2004, serves as the ceremonial bodyguard to the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of the City of London. His presence added a rich dimension of City of London tradition and pageantry to the occasion.
The afternoon commenced in high spirits with a festive Pol Roger Champagne reception, generously provided by Vinetum. Guests mingled over glasses of fine champagne—renewing old connections and forging new ones—setting the tone for an occasion defined by purpose, partnership, and philanthropy.
Attendees were then invited to indulge in a sumptuous curry buffet, featuring classics such as Lamb Madras, Chicken Korma, and Palak Paneer. The flavours, once again, received enthusiastic praise. Complementing the menu was a carefully curated drinks selection: Spitfire beer courtesy of Servaali, and the crisp Urban Riesling from Nik Weis, kindly provided by Vinetum.
This year’s lunch proved to be the most successful to date: Four prizes were generously donated by B3CF members for the annual Silent Auction. Two veterans will now be supported through the Lifeworks Programme thanks to the funds raised. Guests included British Defence Attaché Lt Col David Hirst RE, HE Charles Josob, Ambassador of Namibia to Finland, as well as members of B3CF and the HM Armed Forces Veterans group in Finland.
The formal programme was opened by B3CF Chairman Pekka Halmet, who welcomed guests and acknowledged the unwavering support of the Svenska Klubben team. Vladislav Dobrokhotov followed by sharing video greetings from the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alastair King, reinforcing the enduring connection between London and Helsinki in this shared cause. Reflecting on the journey of the Big Curry Lunch in Finland since its inception in 2022, he noted the growing impact and international resonance of the initiative.
The celebrations continued informally into the evening, but the legacy of the day extends beyond Helsinki. Inspired by the success of the Finnish chapter, similar Big Curry Lunches are now taking place in New Zealand and, for the first time this year, in Estonia. The Chamber is proud to see this meaningful initiative continue to expand its global footprint.
Our sincere thanks to this year’s sponsors: ProVerse Interactive Oy, Vinetum Group Finland, Servaali Oy, as well as to everyone who contributed, attended, and supported the event.
Photos by Sudhanshu Verma
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