The MICHELIN Guide, the most significant and well-known global restaurant guide, and the Croatian National Tourist Board are jointly organizing an exclusive gastronomic event "Four Hands Dinner" tonight at restaurant Mahorčič Inn in Rodik, Slovenia, during which the importance of sustainability and authenticity in gastronomy is emphasized, as well as the MICHELIN Green Star distinction, which highlights within the MICHELIN Guide restaurant selections those standing at the forefront of a more sustainable approach to gastronomy.
The main stars of this exclusive dinner are the Croatian chef Ana Grgić Tomić from the Zagreb restaurant Zinfandel and the Slovenian chef Ksenija Krajšek Mahorčić from the famous restaurant Mahorčič. These are restaurants which are both recommended by the MICHELIN Guide inspectors and are also awarded the prestigious MICHELIN Green Star. Tonight’s guest will therefore have the opportunity to taste a superbly prepared, unique and inspiring menu which combines both culinary excellence and a virtuous eco-friendly vision of gastronomy.
"The MICHELIN Guide is one of the most important actors in the promotion and positioning of Croatia as an excellent gastronomic destination. Today, our country is increasingly recognized for this segment of the offer, which is extremely rich and diverse, so every Croatian region has its own valuable wine and gastronomic specialties. We are also honoured by the fact that tonight's event is the first of its kind, given that this is the premier Four Hands dinner, which highlights sustainability in gastronomy and the prestigious MICHELIN Green Star. In addition to enjoying the richness of taste and quality dishes, we are sure of the great promotional effects of this dinner, which will further strengthen Croatia's position as a desirable gastronomic destination", said Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, who before the dinner greeted all the guests and stressed the importance of cooperation with the MICHELIN Guide, but also of Slovenia as one of the most important foreign markets for Croatian tourism.
With numerous guests, including Slovenian and Croatian partners as well as media representatives, the evening is also attended by 20 influencers from Italy and Slovenia, whose profiles on social networks and online communication channels are highly specialized in gastronomy.
“Celebrating local culinary scenes and highlighting inspiring professionals has always been at the heart of the MICHELIN Guide's mission. Tonight, by organising such an exclusive event, the Guide is delighted to shine a special light on Croatian gastronomic wonders. Having two MICHELIN Green Star restaurants taking the centre stage also means a lot: this illustrates the growing commitment of many restaurateurs to a more sustainable approach to gastronomy”, said from MICHELIN Guide.
Tonight's menu includes Adriatic shrimp marinated in home-made honey with baked cauliflower cream, gnocchi with porcini mushrooms and truffle cream, cod tripe in a creamy tomato and chili sauce and with chickpea foam prepared by Croatian chef Ana Grgić Tomić.
“I am pleased to actively participate with my team of chefs from the Esplanade Hotel with the support of the Croatian National Tourist Board and MICHELIN in the international promotion of Croatian cuisine. This gala dinner and the gourmet story that I am preparing with my Slovenian colleague chef, Ksenija Krajšek Mahorčić, puts particular emphasis on sustainability, which I believe is one of the most pressing issues nowadays. Namely, in addition to the selection of seasonal ingredients, and careful planning of menus, the method of preparation is also essential, but also their maximum utilization. Such events contribute to awareness, and I believe that with our influence, we can very much contribute to reducing the harmful impact on the environment and, at the same time, continue to enjoy the quality and creatively prepared dishes.”, said Grgić Tomić.
The menu also includes dishes by the Slovenian chef Ksenija Krajšek Mahorčić, who prepares deer with roasted beets and plums and hazelnuts, and there is also a chestnut dessert with karst herbs and caramel.
Master Kishoni Vjenceslav Madić is responsible for the selection and preparation of accompanying cocktails, and during the gathering and welcome, all guests had the opportunity to taste traditional Croatian dishes with a modern signature, such as crispy bars of Pag cheese with red cabbage gel and herbs, and baskets with salted trout and roe in citrus gel.
We would like to remind you that starting this year, our country has a total of 84 restaurants bearing at least one of the prestigious MICHELIN labels, which is six restaurants more than last year, and it is especially worth noting that the Zinfandel's restaurant is the first restaurant in Croatia to be awarded the prestigious MICHELIN Green Star label.
