Cook- and Steward School 

Mrs. Aina Panelius (2 June 1861 3 December 1936) was a Rauman "captain-wife" whose life changed after she lost three children. After tragic events, Aina followed her husband, Captain Carl Julius Panelius (18 February 185415 March 1932), who went to sea. There she became acquainted with the conditions of ships and the everyday life of sailors. She began to visualize a way to promote the welfare and education of sailors. 

In 1900, Panelius’ established a seaman's home in Turku, with the opening of Finland's first educational institution that trained ship cooks, the Turku School of Chefs and Stewards. Aina wrote the first Finnish textbook in the field, Ship cook - Advice for chefs and stewards [Laivakokki – Neuvoja kokeille ja stuuerteille] (1904). In addition to practical instructions, the book guides you to a civilized, moral, and religious outlook on life. The book contains vital information for resistances to long sea voyages; what if inadequate food and water storage facilities fail?  

The Seamen's Home and the Chef and Steward School ceased operations in 1915. By that time, 400 students had graduated from the school. 

After a ten-year pause, the Finnish Cook and Steward School of the Seamen's Mission Society began in Helsinki in 1926. Soon enough, Mrs. Aina Panelius, already well-versed in the task, was called to the head of the school. The aim was, in the spirit of the seamen's mission, to train professional and decent stewards and cooks to the ships.  

The age limit for admission to the school was 14 years, and 20 men were admitted to the courses. The women remained on the beach, as their position on the ships was at risk. A four-month cooking course was held in the spring and a three-month steward course in the autumn. The school operated until 1966.