December 2, 2018 – Local journalists joined forces at Chops Grill in Split on Sunday to officially light the first Advent candle for Gastroadvent.
The first Advent candle for Gastroadvent was lit on Sunday at the famous Split restaurant Chops Grill Steak & Seafood. The first candle was burned by Croatian journalists and representatives of Split-Dalmatia County, including Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board director Joško Stella, Split-Dalmatia County prefect Blaženko Boban, and Split Tourist Board director Alijana Vukšić.
After the initial presentation of Split’s increasingly positive tourism results, Gastroadvent organizer Olja Martinic introduced the theme for this year’s favorite event: garlic and thermal water.
Specifically, this year’s Gastroadvent aims to highlight the importance of consuming garlic and water and their role in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. Garlic is a plant known for its robust flavor – and it helps to know that it carries top quality culinary and medical properties.
The main ingredient in garlic is allicin, which possesses miraculous antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and antioxidant properties. Just some of the benefits of garlic are that it stimulates circulation and acts as anti-hypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-cholesterol, and thus promotes the formation of H2S in the body. Garlic has anti-malarial activity, especially for the digestive system and regulation of the intestinal flora – and its sulfur compounds protect against stress and act as an antioxidant!
The medicinal properties of garlic come in direct contact with the soil where it grows, and because the area around Split is rich in thermal springs, garlic, as well as other vegetables are considered extremely healthy. Thermal waters soak in the soil, making it unique for vegetation while its volatile components improve the air quality at the same time. Sulfuric thermal waters are used in therapy for dermatology, respiratory problems, and especially in chronic rheumatism and neuralgia. Sulfuric thermal water is also helpful in chronic fatigue and anti-stress programs.
Chops Grill created a stunning spread using the prized ingredients, including focaccia with garlic and rosemary, bruschetta with beefsteak, horseradish, and garlic, fried monkfish with a white garlic dip, Caesar salad, risotto with shrimp and garlic, pasta with garlic, chili and almonds, and much more.
There was even a fantastic selection of wines!
Sunday marked the 9th edition of Gastroadvent, which was inspired by the passing of journalist Maja Stanisljević.
“When we first started Gastroadvent eight years ago, a beautiful, beautiful journalist who loved the environment and gastronomy and followed all the food and beverage fairs, Maja Stanisljevic, passed away. We then sat down and agreed that journalists bring light to the city – they deserve it because they work all year long, and this is the time when the city of Split needs to be honored,” said Gastroadvent organizer Olja Martinić at last year’s event.
To learn more about Split Advent, follow TCN’s dedicated page here.
