November the 27th, 2025 – Matuljišs International, the central gastronomic event of the Matuljicious/Matuljišs/project, has impressed the crowds.
On November the 26th, gorgeous Matulji once again became the stage for fabulous food through the Matuljišs International event, which is otherwise the central programme of the Matuljicious/Matuljišs/project.
In the ambience of the Stancija Kovačići restaurant, an evening dedicated to fantastic flavours and enology was held, as part of the month of November marked by the “Za prsti polizat” (Good enough to lick your fingers) programme, which attracted foodies, lovers of gastronomy and wines from all over.
Building on last year’s edition and successful cooperation with guests from Umbria in neighbouring Italy, the international character of this great event continued this year. Portugal, recognised for its long tradition of creating incredible wines and for having a diverse culinary culture, took centre stage.
The impressive six-course dinner, accompanied by carefully matched wines, brought together some amazing chefs. Chef Vinko Frlan from the Stancija Kovačići restaurant traditionally presented the specialities of the Matulji and Kvarner terroirs, while chef Inês Beja, founder and employee of a Michelin-starred restaurant in the city of Viseu, brought authentic Portuguese flavours to the table. Chef Inês was joined by talented sommelier Antonio Ramos, who presented each of the Portuguese wines to the guests, and together they emphasised why these wines make a perfect match with the presented dishes. Inês also touched on her 94-year-old grandmother in her presentation, who has cooked for her large family her entire life, and from whom she learned many recipes that she still uses in her kitchen today.
the menu of the evening and the accompanying wines
- Wild sea bream tartare – Chef Vinko Frlan
Paired with Jarbola sparkling wine, OPG (family farm) Ružić - Bacalhau à Brás (Traditional cod and potato frittata) – Chef Inês Beja
Paired with Encruzado wine, Quinta Dona Sancha 2022 - Cuttlefish and cottage cheese gnocchi maneštra – Chef Vinko Frlan
Paired with Kastavska belica, Kapić 2024 - Borrego assado, arroz de forno e esparregado (Marinated pulled lamb, spinach puree and baked Portuguese rice with pancetta and chouriço salami) – Chef Inês Beja
Paired with Chão da Quinta, Grande Reserva 2018 - Duck breast, beetroot cream and thyme sauce – Chef Vinko Frlan
Paired with Črjena zemja wine, Kapić 2023. - Pudim de Encruzado Terras de Santo António 2023., queijo Serra da Estrela i crumble de pão (Traditional Portuguese pudding of egg yolk and wine Encruzado Quinta Dona Sancha 2022., in a cheese sauce from the mountain region of Serra da Estrela) – Chef Inês Beja
Paired with Quinta Seara d’Ordens 10 anos Porto White
fantastic first impressions and future plans
This year, the audience enthusiastically accepted the unique opportunity to get better acquainted with selected food and wine delicacies that they otherwise very rarely have the opportunity to taste, and the interest in the event was confirmed by the fact that all places were reserved within three days of the announcement of the programme!
Along with the director of the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Matulji, Marijana Kalčić – the initiator and organiser of the entire Matuljicious/Matuljišs/project, including its International edition – the event was also attended by the Prefect of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Ivica Lukanović. He emphasised the quality and importance of such events that create a platform for presenting the entire Kvarner region to the rest of the world.
The programme was also joined by the Mayor of the Municipality of Matulji, Ingrid Debeuc, who expressed her satisfaction with the project, the successful cooperation of local caterers and producers, and the large number of visitors who come to Matulji precisely because of Matuljicious.
Vinko Frlan, owner of the Stancija Kovačići restaurant, stated that he was pleased that for the third year in a row he could host some amazing international chefs in his kitchen and create new and exciting culinary experiences with them, further promoting his restaurant and cuisine to a wider audience.
Chef Inês Beja showed special praise on the concept of the project and the evening itself. Although she admitted she didn’t fully know what to expect, she was pleasantly surprised by the professionalism and the level of the Matuljicious International event. She said that it was a pleasure for her to cook with Croatian chef Frlan, with whom she exchanged advice and local recipes, and she was especially honoured that she, on behalf of the National Tourism Organisation of Portugal, had the opportunity to present a touch of her homeland to Matulji.
At the end of the evening, director Marijana Kalčić expressed her satisfaction that visitors had duly recognised the goal and accepted the Matuljicious/Matuljišs/project, which presented the best of Matulji in one place. The best of Matulji is certainly its talented individuals working in the hospitality and catering industry and the flavours of the entire Kvarner region, the natural beauty and outdoor offer, which we can not only host, but also proudly place competitively on the global market, Kalčić emphasised.
For all those who were unable to secure their place at Matuljišs International this year, she announced a new edition that will be held on November the 25th, 2026. However, for now, exactly which international cuisine will be presented in Matulji next year remains a secret. The Matuljicious/Matuljišs/project is approaching its final phase, leaving a visible contribution to the promotion of local food, wine, culture and heritage.
Thanks to close cooperation with local producers and caterers, the programme has further enriched the tourist and gastronomic offer of the Matulji Municipality as a whole and provided visitors with an incredible range of unique experiences.
