Opening of the Taste Festival®2013 with a gala dinner

The first Taste Festival® opened its doors in grand style. An extravagant opening dinner for the Taste Festival was held on Thursday in the Opera hall at the Westin.

Guests were welcomed with six courses from the region’s top chefs, each accompanied by fine wines from local vintners.

Culinary specialties at the opening dinner of the Taste Festival, held on September 12, were presented by Jeffrey Vella (360), Denis Zembo (Le Mandrać), Janez Bratovž (JB), Benjamin Launay (Vander Urbani Resort), and Tomislav Hruban (Westin Hotels & Resort), each with their vision of imaginative courses yet perfectly integrated into a complete fireworks of flavors. Each course was personally presented to the guests by the chef after serving. On behalf of the organizers, the entire coordination was led by Karlo Gjurašek. Karlo, a sommelier and owner of Zagreb’s Bistro Karlo, also took charge of pairing the food with wine, which ranged from the introductory Mionetto’s Treviso and Saint Hill’s Male Nevine 2011, through Meneghetti’s White and Merlot, to the distinctive Roxanich Terana Re Magnum 2007 and Geržinić’s light finish with Muscat Yellow.

The aforementioned distinguished figures of haute cuisine from the region joined forces for the first time at the gala dinner of the Taste Festival 2013, setting trends for the upcoming season. Each course was recognizable and sophisticated, with the personal signature of each artist who made an effort to offer completely new flavors.

After the introductory speech presenting the Taste Festival, the Mayor of Zagreb, Milan Bandić, addressed the guests. He expressed satisfaction with the organization of the Taste Festival, thanked the large turnout, and praised the initiative of the organizers in raising funds for the Special Hospital for Chronic Diseases of Childhood in Gornja Bistra, whose director, Mr. Ivan-Željko Weiss, was present.

Numerous guests enjoyed the dishes of experienced culinary names, such as Jeremy Hawson – the Australian consul, the owner of the restaurant Plavi podrum, Danijela Kramarić, and other business and diplomatic clientele.

The dinner dignifiedly marked the beginning of the first Taste Festival®2013, which, with 300 caterers of various types and price ranges from the region and a special offer consisting of more than 600 menus in both countries, is surely becoming the largest event of its kind in the region.
The festival takes place throughout Croatia and Slovenia, in the very catering establishments, with an open nature program, and restaurants will offer special discounts and pamper you with culinary masterpieces. The Taste Festival in Croatia lasts until September 24, after which it moves to Slovenia and lasts until October 8, where guests from Croatia also have the opportunity to experience the richness of small taverns and newly arrived top street foods, hidden taverns, as well as big names in gastronomy at more affordable prices.

During the festival, the menu offers include discounts of up to 50% on selected menus or up to 25% on the complete food and drink offer in the Restaurant Club network establishments. With a wide price range of establishments and the fact that a ticket costing 60 HRK is valid for two people and for the duration of the entire festival in both countries, the aim is to correct the misconception that ‘gourmet enjoyment’ is associated with high costs, considering that every flavor has its moment and meaning, regardless of whether it is about bars and snack bars for everyday use or elite restaurants.