Turku's Market Culture Inspires Aram Behbodi

Aram Behbodi welcomes me warmly to her new studio on Kristiinankatu. The space has a cosy atmosphere, and she explains that every plate, cup and decorative item on display has been picked up from flea markets around Turku.

She makes coffee and makes a point of serving it with whipping cream.

–  I enjoy these little luxuries in life. I always drink my coffee with cream.

Known as a private chef and entrepreneur and for frequently sharing food tips on social media, Behbodi was named Turku Resident of the Year 2025. The recognition came as a surprise, but at the same time it made one of her dreams come true.

Born in Iran, Behbodi moved to Turku from Greece with her family when she was six years old. Ever since then, she has dreamed of building a successful career.

–  When I was a child, we used to take the bus from Perno into the city centre, and I admired everything around me – the buildings and the bustle of the city centre. Now I love living right in the heart of the city.

Bringing people together around food

Now in her thirties, Behbodi has always been energetic and endlessly curious. After comprehensive school, she trained as a catering chef and worked in several restaurants in Turku. In her twenties, she decided to quit her job, sold everything she owned and spent around four years travelling, including in Asia and Greece.

In 2019, she was already planning to move to Helsinki, as the larger city seemed more appealing at the time. Instead, her then-boyfriend's ice hockey career took them to Slovakia for a while. From there, Behbodi returned to Turku and decided to stay.

– You could say that love saved me from Helsinki, she says with a loud, hearty laugh.

It turned out to be the right decision. Turku has become a place she would never want to leave. 

As a self-employed chef, Behbodi prepares food and hosts dinners in people's homes, at private functions and at events. Bringing people together over good food comes naturally to her, and she has even brought complete strangers together at dinner parties she has hosted in her own home.

Over the years, what she has come to value most about Iranian food culture is the importance of sharing meals and spending time together.

–  Finns sometimes find it difficult to slow down and simply enjoy being together. But even at those dinners in my home, the atmosphere eventually relaxed and the conversation started to flow.

Finland's best market square is in Turku

Behbodi has built a long career in Turku, working both in restaurants and as a market trader. While she draws inspiration from food cultures around the world, her heart lies with local vegetable producers.

In her view, Turku Market Hall and, above all, the Market Square, which she visits several times a week, are truly unique.

–  We have an incredible selection of herbs, salads and vegetables, many of which are supplied to shops all over Finland. You won't find a selection like this anywhere else.

Her cooking philosophy also centres on seasonal ingredients. Although she describes herself as a maximalist in many aspects of life, when it comes to cooking she is drawn to simplicity. All you need are excellent ingredients, the skill to bring them together and beautiful presentation.

Her efforts to encourage people in Turku to support local businesses and producers were, in fact, one of the reasons cited when she received the Turku Resident of the Year award.

–  We have a fantastic restaurant scene too, but people in Turku can be quite cautious about trying new things. I think we could be much bolder in exploring and combining different culinary traditions.

Although Behbodi has become a role model for many young people and regularly receives messages and questions from students in the restaurant industry, life in the public eye also has its downsides. At times, she feels she can be too loud and outspoken for Finnish culture.

– I'm definitely a Turku resident, but I don't necessarily feel Finnish, she says.

Everyday life deserves celebrating too

As someone who throws herself passionately into new ideas and runs her own business, Behbodi finds it difficult to turn down work. As a result, her holidays are sometimes much shorter than planned. Even so, she wants to take on a wide variety of projects, as there is currently more than enough demand for her work.

Having inherited her entrepreneurial spirit from her mother, Behbodi also describes herself as a risk-taker.

–  I would never have achieved anything in life if I hadn't had the courage to pursue my ideas.

Running a business requires good life and time-management skills, and you also need to know when to take time to slow down.

For Behbodi, there is a simple way to do that.

– I love walking through Puolalanpuisto Park, looking at the old houses and imagining who lives there and what their lives are like.

If she were showing visitors around Turku, she would take them to the places where everyday life in the city really happens: the Market Square, restaurants and local boutiques. More generally, she believes life should be enjoyed every day, not just at weekends or during holidays.

Unlike many people, it is not summer that she loves most in Turku – it is autumn that truly inspires her. That is when she gathers her friends and heads out for a picnic.

– When it's still warm enough but the summer heat has faded, it's wonderful to enjoy the colours of autumn, spread out a blanket and pop open a bottle of champagne, Behbodi suggests.

TEXT: HEIDI HORILA

The article has been published in Finnish in Turkuposti 2, 2026.