The “Hrvatski gastronomski dragulj“ (Croatian Gastronomic Jewel) is the organization of exhibitions for culinary competitions throughout all Croatian cities, with the aim of improving the quality of tourist services and competitiveness. The project started in Dalmatia in 2007 and included various towns in the Croatian territory. The project aims to encourage caterers to increase their offer with a share of indigenous dishes, emphasizing on local indigenous cuisine in certain parts of Croatia. All gastronomic exhibitions take place throughout Croatian cities under the larger title “Croatian Gastronomic Jewel”, each of which has its own name.
The “Split Gourmet Expo” is a competition and gastronomic showcase of restaurants and hotels in the city of Split where each facility displays their fare on a 300-meter long joint table, exposing the evaluation and tasting of 6,000 servings of delicacies. The exhibition encourages and promotes the gastronomic offer of Split as a gastronomic destination of excellence throughout the entire year.
Image by skmer.hr
The culinary exhibitions will take place from October 14-15 this year on the waterfront of Split, the Riva. All restaurants that will participate are to prepare selected dishes that must be in accordance with authentic Croatian, Dalmatian, and Split cuisine, as well as in accordance with the offer of the hospitality facility that it represents. The exhibition will be organized into three categories: cold meals, hot meals, and desserts.
An expert jury will be composed of eminent Croatian and international chefs, in which these culinary experts will evaluate on the taste, appearance, and originality of the dishes (in accordance with Croatian cuisine).
The Riva will be adorned with the large table where all food competitors will be exposed with their meals. Depending on the type of dish, each display must contain a minimum of 10 servings and must be marked with the name and location of the catering facility, as well as with the name of the chef or cook who prepared the dish.
The event site will also boast stands of sponsors who support the exhibition, as well as the booths of small, local producers who will have the opportunity to present their products if their quality and species can reach the development of tourist services in Split.
All competitors will receive a diploma for participating, and first, second, and third place winners in all categories will receive awards, while the overall winners of the first three places will receive medals.
The restaurant that wins first place in the overall standings will receive a special designated “Split Gourmet Expo” plaque that can de displayed in their given facility.
This gastro exhibition will also be accompanied by wine makers, and the event will have an oenology workshop for restaurant owners where they will be educated about the pairings for food and wine, how to properly serve wine, and other oenological rules that every successful restaurateur must know.
A great way to further develop the tourist offer for Split, we look forward to this year’s Split Gourmet Expo.
