Photo credit: European Food Summit / Matic Kremžar
The four-day European Food Summit, organised by company Jezeršek Catering joined by partners Ljubljana Tourism and Slovenian Tourist Board, was composed of a series of creative events with internationally recognised names in food and top Slovenian chefs. The successful organisation located the Summit among Europe’s best food events. Ljubljana, that was transformed into the European culinary capital, placed Slovenia on top of the hottest destinations list. According to the opinion of Ana Roš, who put Slovenia on the international culinary map in 2017 with being awarded a title of the best female chef in the world, “The position of Slovenia has been further improved thanks to the European Food Summit.”
European Food Summit - Conference, Photo: Matic Kremžar
The curator of the Summit was Andrea Petrini, named the “God of Food” by foreign media outlets, while in Slovenia he is known as a true culinary impresario. He brought to Ljubljana the hottest international chefs who at Ljubljana Castle delivered lectures on sustainable values and the future of food. In addition, the Ljubljana Castle was the venue for the Experience Dinner with TOP chefs that prepared a nine-course meal with exquisite Slovenian wines.
European Food Summit - Experience Dinner - Photo: Matic Kremžar
Another highlight of the events held in Ljubljana, was the Gourmet Ljubljana Crawl culinary tour for which the public afterward concluded it has the greatest potential. Gourmet Ljubljana Crawl with its programme of pop-up eateries bonded Ljubljana Tourism, the Gourmet Ljubljana brand, and Ljubljana’s top chefs. The latter uncovered their unique dishes accompanied by the best of Slovenian wines at a number of sights and landmarks in Ljubljana. The Gourmet Ljubljana Crawl, thus, blended culture, architecture and food. Top Ljubljana chefs offered their dishes at an independent art gallery DobraVaga which is set at the former fish market; another chef cooked at Kresija Gallery; participants of the culinary crawl were taken by surprise at the Museum of Illusion; while at the Town Hall atrium two chefs served their food; at the Ljubljana Castle a medieval dinner was served; and the last pop-up eatery was set at Križanke, former monastery and nowadays a beloved concert venue.
European Food Summit - Gourmet Ljubljana Crawl, Photo: Marko Ocepek
In accordance with global trends, Ljubljana has long ago recognized gastronomy as an aspect that attracts visitors. Thus, Slovenia’s capital connects with suppliers at the destination, connects them, participates in the placement of traditional local dishes from local ingredients on the menus, and markets them. The European Food Summit with accompanying events re-affirmed Ljubljana’s position among the top culinary destinations.
