Vote Espoo Catering’s candidates into the PRO 2027 final!

1. Complete the PRO 2027 candidate form(external link, opens in a new window).
2. Enter the candidate’s category, name, profession and workplace – you’ll find these details in the introductions below. 
3. Add your reasons for voting, your own details, and select “Submit responses.”

Be sure to vote by 22 September 2026.

Pro category: Professional Kitchen Manager
Workplace and location: Espoo Catering Oy/Kuitinmäen koulu

I’m Jatta Leach, a catering supervisor by education, and I started working for City of Espoo Catering Services as a catering service employee in December 2006. This means that soon I will have spent 20 years working for the same employer!

My career as a supervisor began in the kitchen at Lakela päiväkoti day care centre in 2007, and since then I have worked in several day care centre and school kitchens. At the moment, I work as a team supervisor for the Kuitinmäki team with responsibility for the kitchen production at Kuitinmäen koulu and the staff of four schools and nine day care centres. I also represent the staff in the Espoo Catering management team and serve as a deputy chief shop steward.

Supervisor work has changed a lot over the years: Today, employee well-being, orientation, IT programs as well as support and being present are an important part of the work. My own professional development and studies are also part of my daily routine, and I always encourage others to study.

Why should Jatta be in the PRO final?

• An experienced professional: 20 years of experience in Espoo Catering and strong catering expertise.
• Manages the team and kitchen well and creates a sense of safety and trust inside the team.
• Always ready to help - supporting her team, colleagues and the customer.
• A caring and approachable supervisor for whom a good work atmosphere is important – and this is also visible to the customer!
• Exerts influence and assumes responsibility: represents the staff in the management team and serves as a deputy chief shop steward.

Pro category: Professional Kitchen Employee
Workplace and location: Espoo Catering Oy/Ruusutorpan koulu kitchen

I’m Pablo Olmos Martinez, Espoo Catering’s travelling service manager and representative in the PRO 2027 Professional Kitchen Employee category.

I have worked at Espoo Catering for eight years. I started my career in dish washing, and I learned by working in different kitchens. My first orientation period was at Koivikon päiväkoti day care centre, and every workplace and Espoo Catering employee has taught me something new. Today I travel around the entire Espoo region, with Ruusutorpan koulu school as my home base.

The most important part of my work is cooperation with customers and ensuring safe meals for customers who need special diets. I have great respect for continuous learning. In addition to my work, I am studying towards a Bachelor of Tourism Management and Hospitality at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, and I try to utilise what I’m learning in my work and continuously develop my competence.

Why should Pablo be in the PRO final?

• An energetic and committed professional who can always be trusted.
• Boldly tackles new challenges and continuously develops his skills.
• Well-liked by customers and understands the importance of cooperation.
• Studying towards a Bachelor of Tourism Management and Hospitality degree in addition to working and wants to learn new things.
• Sets a positive and responsible example to others.
• Help others and builds a good work atmosphere.

Pro category: Reformer
Workplace and office: Espoo Catering Oy/Espoo Catering office

I’m Essi Koponen and I work at Espoo Catering as a project manager in menu design, product development and other projects.

Over the years, I have worked in many different kitchens and roles. It all began with a summer job at Haukilahden koulu school and general upper secondary school. After graduation, I continued as a catering service employee and cook and later as a food service supervisor in Espoo schools and upper secondary schools.

Professional development has always been important to me. I have studied to be a cook, completed a specialist vocational qualification in first-level management and earned Bachelor of Hospitality Management and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees. I am currently studying economics and working on my master's thesis. These different positions and studies have given me a broad view of the everyday realities in food services, customer needs, management and development. I believe that my experience helps me see things from the perspective of both kitchens and customers and build solutions that really work in practice.

Why should Essi be in the PRO final?

• A goal-oriented, independent and productive reformer who moves things forward in a determined manner.
• Actively develops menu design and product development and looks for functional solutions.
• Combines customer orientation, nutrition, responsibility and cost-effectiveness.
• An excellent partner with great interaction skills.
• A hard-working self-developer whose versatile education supports continuous renewal.

Good luck to our trio! We are proud of you and wish you all success in the PRO 2027 competition!