SocialBBQ Grill Table traveled to Italy – Finnish design met southern food culture
When passion meets an idea, a story is born that carries further than we could have imagined. Our story gained a new chapter when we packed a van full of SocialBBQ Grill Tables at our Aura facilities and headed toward Italy, a country where dining is not just eating, but enjoyment and the essence of being together.
The power of domestic design – a van full
We brought the best of our entire collection:
- SocialBBQ Nordic – classically elegant, made from domestic pine, the table where it all began. It’s the cornerstone of our product line, a timeless classic.
- SocialBBQ Signature – our completely new flagship collection designed for the Italian market, made from domestic CLT wood. Signature represents Nordic minimalist design that exudes quality and elegance.
- SocialBBQ Legend – a unique collection that has generated great interest. Legend tables are made from square-sawn solid wood, and on this trip we brought ash and oak tables made from domestic hardwood.
The van also filled up with SocialBBQ accessories. We were full of enthusiasm and anticipation as our journey began toward the Port of Helsinki and the Finnlines ferry, which took us to Travemünde, Germany.
Overnight across Europe
The journey became an experience even before reaching our destination. We drove through the misty German autobahns through the night, determined and excited. A small detail that will surely stay with us: we traveled 1,964 kilometers in one go in 24 hours, taking only a 15-minute rest break at a German service station. When the first rays of morning illuminated the Austrian Alps, instead of fatigue we felt a new kind of energy. We were heading toward something great.
From the greenery of Northern Italy to the postcard landscapes of Arpino
After a quick drive through Austria, we arrived in Northern Italy, where the green valleys, majestic mountains, and endless rows of vineyards immediately made an impression on us. The landscapes refreshed us after the long drive and thoughts of Italian delicacies filled our minds. With the delicious flavors of Parmesan cheese and prosciutto ham in mind, we traveled the final 700 kilometers toward our destination.
As evening fell, we finally arrived at our destination in the town of Arpino, where Italian hospitality and a warm meal awaited us. Darkness had already descended on the valley, but the next morning we woke up to a view straight out of a postcard. A breathtaking landscape opened up around Arpino that immediately felt like home.
Showroom in Italy – Finnish design on display
During the next day, we got to work. We assembled some of the tables directly for use and arranged the others on display and for sale in the showroom. Our SocialBBQ Nordic, Signature, and Legend collections found their place for Italians to see and experience. The atmosphere was enthusiastic, Finnish design stood proudly in the Italian setting.
Once the tables were assembled, we headed out to get inspired by local food shops and butcher shops. Italy is known for its pure and high-quality ingredients, and our shopping bags filled with all kinds of delicacies, such as antipasto ingredients, quality meats, and fresh vegetables.
Italians are incredibly proud of their food – and for good reason. Quality is strictly controlled. For example, in wine production the DOCG label guarantees origin and quality, and for cheeses the DOP label protects designations of origin. Parmigiano Reggiano is not just a cheese, it’s centuries-old craftsmanship and a big part of Italian food heritage.
Visit to a winery
After our food shopping, our journey continued toward a local small-producer winery. At the estate we were welcomed with Italian warmth and got to walk among the grapevines, taste different grapes, and hear about wine cultivation. It was fascinating to see the wine’s journey through different production stages to the finished product and learn about the multi-generational winemaking tradition.
Naturally we couldn’t leave empty-handed, so we picked up a selection of local quality wines that complement perfectly the moments enjoyed around the SocialBBQ Grill Table. In Italian food culture, wine is not just a drink, but part of a larger whole. It binds together the ingredients, the meal, and the people.
Finnish hospitality in Italian spirit
We wanted to create a memorable evening for our guests around the Grill Table. The evening preparations went smoothly with a relaxed vibe. Italian music played in the background, cheerful conversation filled the table, and everyone participated in the dinner preparations. This spirit of doing things together was exactly what the SocialBBQ Grill Table represents – cooking and socializing in the same space, as a genuinely communal experience.
When we lit the Grill Table element, the entire group stopped to admire its flames. We took a “Prosecco break” because we wanted to let the coals ignite peacefully and the smoke disappear before we gathered around the table. When the grill was ready, the warmth and glow of the embers invited us to begin dinner. We prepared dinner with Italian ingredients, adding Finnish flavors with spices brought from Poppamies.
We spent the following days with good food and new friends, showcasing our Grill Table using the versatile accessories from the SocialBBQ product family. We grilled skewers, created delicacies using the half-grill and plancha, and prepared dessert under the dome. The company at the dinner table was wonderful! In addition to Italians, our group also included other nationalities from around the world. Gathering around the Grill Table worked like a magnet – it brought together people, languages, and cultures around the same table.
Dinners stretched into multi-hour, multi-course experiences where flavors and stories intertwined. And when the last plates had been cleared away, it was still wonderful to stay and enjoy the evening by the warmth of the table. The recipe for every successful evening was always the same: good food, a shared moment, and a warm atmosphere.
Quality travels both ways
When we arrived in Italy, SocialBBQ’s logistics van was packed from floor to ceiling with Finnish craftsmanship – unique Grill Tables. When it was time for the return journey, our van transformed almost into a food truck: we filled it with gems from vineyards, Italian delicacies, and wonderful taste experiences.
This was our company’s first international trip – and at the same time the opening to European markets and internationalization.
Story will continue…
As we write this, we’re sitting in the car again, but this time we decided to split the drive and are staying overnight in Munich. Perhaps tomorrow we’ll meet our EUROtour ambassadors Lotta and Eetu in Bremen. (Read more about Eetu and Lotta’s European adventure on our social media channels.)
With gratitude,
SocialBBQ team Teemu and Anski
