2nd Gastro – Tastes of Istria
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Rovinj just recently hosted its second annual Tastes of Istria gastronomical gathering. Over seventy best cooks, pizzaiolos, barmen and sommeliers contested for the titles in their respective categories
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Rovinj just recently hosted its second annual Tastes of Istria gastronomical gathering. Over seventy best cooks, pizzaiolos, barmen and sommeliers contested for the titles in their respective categories. The contest itself was preceded by a promotion and wine tasting of best wines and olive oil Rovinj has to offer, in addition to meals from wild edible vegetation. Kuće o batani recipe book was also promoted.
Kristijan Damijanić, one of many olive oil producers present at the gathering, while commenting about olive oil in Rovinj stated that the oil produced by local farmers continued to increase in quality and that olive oil boom is imminent not only in Rovinj but also in the whole peninsula. According to a picker of self-grown edible vegetation, Frank Zgrablić, Istria will become the prime destination for refined connoisseurs of gastronomy who prefer to experience authentic culture and dishes in addition to beauty that the sun and sea have to offer.
Speaking about a lot to offer: Istrian peninsula is home to approximately 600 types of edible vegetation. Beside the “the fruits of the land”, our cook Sergio Ferrara prepared several “the fruit of the sea” dishes which definitely reminded us of the way our grandmothers used to cook.
Just so we don’t forget all of this, we published Rovinj’s fifteen characteristic sea delicacies in the Kuće o Batani recipe book. All 500 copies of the book were distributed among the guests of the Fair.
Istrian wines, labeled by wine producers and experts as exceptionally smooth and clean, complemented the dinner. In a surprise performance prior to the barmen contest, Elvic Kendić, the best barman in 2004, demonstrated not only his bottle-joggling skills but also his sense of art when preparing delicious cocktails.
Students from Eugen Kumičić Vocational School received a special applause for one of the biggest and most delicious asparagus omelets. The students, assisted by their mentors, used up 2005 eggs in a large frying pan to complete this task. The manifestation, successfully organized by the Business Chamber of the County of Istria, Association of Hospitality Providers, Association of Tradesmen in Rovinj, in addition to the Tourist Community of the City, Maistra d.d., and the City of Rovinj—the host of the second Taste of Istria event
