WHO IS WHO IN NEW EUROPE’S MEETINGS INDUSTRY
Since 2014, Kongres Magazine has been giving centre stage to the most influential people of New Europe’s meetings industry. When we prepared our first-ever list of influencers, our guidance was the following mindset. Would you decide to build a house without an architect or professional construction workers? The price you would have to pay for the amateur approach would be significant. Likewise, this applies to event organisation, one of the fields of expertise, where everyone seems to be an expert.
Thus, we decided to set structured criteria and requirements for nomination. Our list of influencers differs from similar competitions, as nomination has to come from a third party and not candidates themselves. We want the influencer list to be of help when you start organising events again, serving as a trustworthy directory of MICE professionals. This project is not a competition, but a serious platform that you can rely on. All nominees that were part of the voting process are presented in alphabetical order below.
I would like to sincerely congratulate the winners and all of the nominees on their impressive achievement and pledge to further develop and evolve the project in the following years.
I wish you all a happy and healthy 2021,
Gorazd Čad
Editor in chief
TOP CATERING SERVICE PROVIDERS 2020
ALL NOMINEES
In alphabetical order
Janez BRATOVŽ, JB Restaurant
Chef Janez Bratovž is a Slovenian pioneer in high cuisine. He carefully picks each and every supplier for the best fresh ingredients. His career starts in the year 1981, while his JB restaurant started in 1992. He wrote two very successful cookbooks which were very successful in different competitions. he is also the first Chef from Slovenia who was on San Pellegrino list 100 best restaurants in 2010. And in 2013 he was on 10. place of The Daily Meal Best Restaurants in Europe. His inspirations are ingredients that he workes with, his family, his coworkers, and of course his guests.
Thomas GRUBER, Chef at in Schlossstern Restaurant (AT)
The main characteristic of the “Gasthaus von Thomas Gruber« at the lake Wörthersee is the regional cuisine, where different cultures and genuine dishes from Slovenia, Italy and Carinthia meet. Eating and drinking together become the indispensable experience factor. Thomas Gruber is not following the culinary mainstream, so instead of great gourmet menus, you will find dishes with heart and mind. He was gaining knowledge and experience for many years in the most prestigious restaurants and hotels in the States, France, Italy and Austria. In 2013, he opened his own restaurant “Gasthaus von Thomas Gruber”.
Jerneja KAMNIKAR, Vivo Catering
At the 20th anniversary, she earned her ranking through the socially responsible co-operative project of setting the Month of Design in the abandoned factory premises of Mladinska Knjiga. The revival of this place has created a completely new event space in Ljubljana with unimagined development potential. Visitors to the event were excited about the look of the premises; this is a completely new dimension of socially responsible conference tourism.
Frederik MAYRINGER, Frederiks Vienna
“Stay in the kitchen” is the motto that Frederik Mayringer, the CEO and Chef at Frederik’s, is adhering to at all times. His dedication to investing time and patience in new culinary creations along business plans is seen in the work that Frederik’s team does with catering magic that particularly shines through Frederik’s gardening decoration concept and its edible flowers.
Toni MÖRWALD, Mörwald Catering
Toni Mörwald is the owner of Mörwald Catering, one of the most recognisable Austrian catering services.
Marijana and Ivana PRIZMIĆ, Lokrum d.o.o.
The two owners are among the most respected catering experts in the region.
Sanjiv SURI, Zátiší Group
Since 1991, founder of the Zátiší Group, currently operating four restaurants in Prague: V Zátiší, Bellevue, Mlýnec, Žofín Garden & Zátiší Catering, exclusive caterer to Žofín Palace, general caterer for Prague Congress Centre and exclusive caterer 2012 – 2013 to VIP Village Moto GP and Fresh & Tasty divisions. He earlier worked as General Manager, Food – Beverage Manager & Kitchen Coordinator at various hotel chains in France, India, Egypt and western Africa. He is a member of the UNICEF Supervisory Board, Head of the Board of Directors of the Prague Convention Bureau, member of the Young Presidents Organisation worldwide, and Vice president of the American Chamber of Commerce Supervisory Board.
Wolfgang STUBENBERG, M*Eventcatering
Wolfgang Stubenberg is, together with Waldemar Benedict, an executive manager of M*Eventcatering located in Vienna.
Dominik STOJAR, Sanfish
Dominik is the Managing Director of Sanfish Catering, which specializes in fish and seafood. Their mission is to surprize their customers with new, innovative products, while focusing on quality and sustainable products.
Róbert ŠARADIN, Sharkam Catering Slovakia
Sharkam catering was established in 1998 and belongs to one of the European leaders in catering. They are most proud of having built the business from scratch on solely Slovak capital and through years of testing know-how. The majority of their business is in event catering, although they are also one of a very few caterers in Europe to specialize in protocol catering. Their marketing policy is built on offering a first-class service and quality and which additionally guarantees a sufficient quantity of food and beverages.
Tamara TUĐMAN ŠUK, Favory Catering
Tamara Tuđman Šuk is the owner of the Favory – Catering & Banqueting which has been with its uninterrupted operation of 28 years the oldest Croatian catering business. Its corporate and private club are of a unique character in Croatia and make, thus, for a really special service agency when it comes to MICE needs not only in Croatia but also in other parts of Europe. Certainly, Tamara Tuđman Šuk is one of the catering pioneers in the region that still sets the trends today.
HOW SELECTION AND VOTING FUNCTIONS
Candidates were assessed on the following key criteria:
• Achievement of the best financial and other multiplier effects of the meetings industry in 2019/2020 that were significantly above the average;
• Implementation of the most demanding improvements and innovations in their field, including successfully implemented projects that marked the year 2019/2020 as a special one;
• Help in enhancing the reputation and visibility of the meetings industry in 2019/2020;
• Innovations that facilitate the work of meetings organisers, or have shown the direction for the future.
Based on the criteria, we prepare the list and invite readers of Kongres Magazine to vote. The voting lasts for a month (this year from 13th November to 14th December 2020). In each category, we highlight five influencers with the most votes, while the rest of the nominees are presented equally according to alphabetical order. Each year, colleagues that received less than 2% of all votes are excluded from the list. The 2% was set as the threshold for being placed on the list (52 votes in 2020).
The selection is prepared by the editorial board of Kongres Magazine, consisting of five members. The editorial board ensures a comprehensive overview of nominations and oversees voting results. Thereby, the editorial board assures voting credibility. On request, individuals have the possibility of examining the selection results.
