The festival will host the most prestigious names from the world of gastronomy and oenology and reveal the secrets of many successful stories, including that of one of the most renowned regional business leaders – the legendary owner of the Macedonian winery Tikveš, Svetozar Janevski.
Matija Bogdan, executive chef of the Aminess group, and Ante Udovicic, a top chef and a well-known TV personality, will also talk about their gastronomic journey in Rovinj. Why we often overlook the importance of quality traditional restaurants will be the central topic of the discussion led by David Skoko, Vesna Miletić from the legendary restaurant Tač, and one of the most respected Croatian chefs, Hrvoje Zirojević. Šime Gligora, director of Sirana Gligora from Kolanja, together with the other participants of the panel “Local cuisine as a tourist attraction”, will share his thoughts on whether local cuisine can become a tourist attraction and how to position local products.
Jorg Zupan, the Slovenian chef who closed the restaurant with a Michelin star last year and opened the new AFTR bistro is also coming from Ljubljana to the old Tobacco Factory. In a panel discussion with Gašper Puhan, vice president of the European association JRE, and Grega Repovž, owner of Gostilna Repovž, Jorg Zupan will reveal the secret of the Slovenian culinary scene. At the same time, the Weekend Food Festival will also reveal the secrets of the success of the Belgrade gastronomic scene, which will be discussed by Goran Kovačević from Atoll Hotel Management, Dimitrije Acevski, executive chef in the Karisma Hotels & Resorts group, Aleksandar Vasiljević, general manager of Hilton Hotel, and Saša Pejić, executive director of the BQ Restaurant group, which also includes the popular Lafayette.
The Weekend Food Festival presents more than just the successful names of the local and regional gastronomic scene. It is a journey through the variety of food at the Weekend Food Market, which brings together many caterers. Visitors are allowed free entry to enjoy the unique offer and promotion of local and international dishes. Excellent workshops, such as the one where Ante Pižić and Alen Bibič will prepare real Skradin risotto, are only part of the culinary spectacle that will take place at this year’s Weekend Food Festival.
Maistra is the host and partner of the Weekend Food Festival again this year. See the full event programme at: www.weekendfoodfestival.com.
