A warm, hands-on Sámi cooking experience in Hammerfest.
Prepare traditional food over the fire and enjoy a meal inside a cozy lavvu.
This is a relaxed, interactive experience — perfect for families, groups and company events.
At a Glance
-
Season: July 1st – October 1st
-
Duration: 2 hours
-
Location: Traditional Sámi lavvu, Hammerfest
-
Group size: 5–25 participants
-
Difficulty: Easy, suitable for all ages
-
Languages: English & Norwegian
What You Will Experience
✔ Bake your own traditional Sámi gáhkku over the fire
✔ Brew bålkaffe (traditional fire-brewed coffee)
✔ Prepare reinskav together inside the lavvu
✔ Enjoy the meal you have cooked around the fire
✔ Learn about Sámi food culture, reindeer herding and daily life
✔ Cozy, social atmosphere with time for stories and questions
The Experience
Sámi cooking is rooted in simplicity, nature and tradition. In this experience, you are guided step by step through the preparation of a real Sámi meal using basic ingredients, open fire and traditional tools.
Inside the lavvu, you gather around the fire and begin by mixing dough for gáhkku — a Sámi panbread baked directly over the flames on a heavy iron plate.
You shape and cook it yourself, just as Sámi herders have done for generations.
Next, you prepare reinskav, thinly sliced reindeer meat cooked quickly in a hot pan over the fire. This is practical, nourishing food made for life outdoors.
We also brew bålkaffe, the traditional coffee served at gatherings across Sápmi.
When the food is ready, everyone sits together on reindeer hides to enjoy the meal they have created, while your guide shares stories about food traditions, reindeer and Sámi life.
The atmosphere is warm, relaxed and genuine — a taste of everyday Sámi culture.
+ What’s Included
-
Sámi guide and cultural storytelling
-
All food ingredients
-
Lavvu with fire and reindeer-hide seating
-
Cooking tools and equipment
-
Hands-on instruction for all participants
-
Cozy setting and photo opportunities
+ What to Bring
-
Season-appropriate clothing
-
Warm socks or indoor shoes (recommended)
-
Camera or phone
Important to Know
-
The activity takes place inside a heated lavvu
-
Children must be supervised near the fire
-
Vegetarian option available on request
-
The experience may be adjusted in heavy wind or extreme weather
