About Richard McCormick's

Richard McCormick walking down the street

Richard is an Executive Chef, Restaurateur, Author and Visionary, creating and managing multiple brands throughout his career.  His unique talents and training have allowed him to become one of Helsinki’s foremost experts in the restaurant community.

Born in Sweden, Richard developed his appetite and pallet for food growing up in Southeast Asia and abroad. While traveling and experiencing the local cuisines, spices and flavours in each region, Richard expanded on his passions, giving him a distinct perspective of the industry and how it is shaped today.  

Upon settling back in Scandinavia during his late teens, he started his formal studies in Helsinki with a degree in Culinary Arts, a Bachelors in Restaurant Management and a Masters in Hospitality & Tourism Management.

Throughout his 20’s, Richard’s culinary journey allowed him to bring a new perspective to the table with a number of initiatives and projects such as New York Ninja, Nolla, Siltanen, Shanghai Cowboy, Tokyo Girl and Sandro.

Sandro was chosen the best new restaurant of the year by Helsingin Sanomat Nyt-liite (11/2013) & in 2014, won three categories in City-Lehti’s vote for best restaurant in Helsinki: Best Restaurant, Best Ethnic Restaurant and Best Brunch.

In March 2015, Richard & Ville Relander opened the doors to a popular neighborhood Eatery, Rotisserie and Bar, The Cock. A year later Richard and Ville created ‘Holiday’ a beautiful restaurant in Katajanokka, Helsinki. Holiday bustles with atmosphere and summer vibes, offering fresh seafood, exotic cocktails and a large outside space with weekend parties going from dusk to dawn.

In Novemeber 2017 restaurant Yes Yes Yes was launched together with Alex Nieminen and Ville Relander, a vegetaiaran restaurants of its own class, welcoming guests to a bustling atmosphere, enjoying veggie dishes from a tandoori oven in the heart of Yes Yes Yes’s kitchen.

In 2019, Richard and Ville introduced Madonna, an Italian kitchen garnering ceiling frescos, Murano chandeliers and hand painted ceramics from the Amalfi coast.

From 2020-2022 Richard together with Alex opened 2 new restauarnts in Helsinki, Cheri, a Parisain inspired modern brassaire and Lulus, a plant-forward restaurant featuring South East Asian kitchen with natural wines and tropical cocktails.

The creative talents he has cultivated over the years have assisted in developing his boutique company ‘Richard McCormick’s Catering’ offering a customized approach to his clients personalized events and parties.  

You can be sure Richard McCormick’s adventure’s will continue, so stay tuned as we will be updating you shortly with new collaborations and exciting projects.