Local stories inspire Slovenia’s finalist to the European Young Chef Award 2019

An innovative touch, knowledge and outstanding skills where the key factors that earned Jure Dretnik the opportunity to represent Slovenia, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2021 at the European Young Chef Award 2019, to be held in South Aegean, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2019, on 22-24 October 2019.

Student at the College of Hospitality and Tourism of Maribor, Jure presented a dish called Lunch of mowers from Koroška region, which favourably impressed the jury of Slovenia’s young chef competition. The dish was inspired by the narration of a Slovenian writer from Koroška, which is also Jure’s native region.

Hosted by the College of Hospitality and Tourism of Maribor, on 25 April 2019, the contest gathered seven students from three different schools in Slovenia.

The European Young Chef Award is a competition organised and promoted by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Art and Tourism (IGCAT) in collaboration with culinary arts institutions in the Regions of Gastronomy.

The European Young Chef Award gathers finalists of regional contests from around Europe to present and exchange knowledge about traditional dishes and local food products from their regions and then compete proposing their innovative reinterpretation of traditional recipes, judged by star chefs and international experts.

About the European Region of Gastronomy

Candidate and awarded Regions of Gastronomy from Europe, guided by IGCAT, are working together to raise awareness about the importance of their cultural and food uniqueness and share the long-term aim to: promote a better quality of life in European regions; highlight distinctive food cultures; educate for better health and sustainability; nurture creativity; improve tourism standards; and stimulate gastronomic innovation.

About IGCAT

IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance to safeguard and promote distinct food, culture, arts and sustainable tourism assets. This is essential to balance against globalised food trends that are impacting on our planet, health and local economies.

IGCAT is a non-profit institute established in 2012, working with regional stakeholder consortiums in the fields of gastronomy, culture, arts and tourism. It counts on the expertise of a worldwide network of experts and works in partnership with specialised intergovernmental organisations.

IGCAT provides the Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the European Region of Gastronomy Platform. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award the Local Food Gift Challenge, the Top Visitor Experience and the Food Film Menu.