Henri Alén, a notable restaurant owner and judge on MasterChef Finland, recently reflected on his significant decision from a year ago to sell his entire stake in the Muru restaurant group, which included acclaimed establishments such as Muru, Bistro Pastis, Fiasco?, and VillaLilla. In an interview, Alén expressed strong satisfaction with his decision, stating that it has positively impacted his daily life and allowed him to avoid the chaos of managing multiple ventures simultaneously.

After selling his stake, Alén noted that he has focused mainly on his restaurant Finnjävel in Helsinki, where he works around four times a week. He emphasized that while the sale provided financial gains, it did not turn him into a millionaire, reflecting the reality of the restaurant industry, where wealth accumulation often requires unique circumstances. Nevertheless, this new phase of life has brought him peace and flexibility, alleviating some of the pressures he faced previously as an entrepreneur juggling numerous responsibilities.

Alén's story serves as an insightful example for those in the hospitality industry, illustrating the potential benefits of strategic decisions about business ownership. His experience highlights the importance of finding balance and personal well-being in a demanding field, suggesting that successful entrepreneurship is not solely defined by financial success but also by one's lifestyle and mental health satisfaction.