European Food Summit will host internationally recognised chefs and the greatest minds from the culinary, art and media sectors

In March of this year, the European Food Summit will bring together at a single location famous personalities from the culinary, art and media sectors who will strive to dazzle with inspirational stories and encourage listeners to take a more progressive stance for a brighter and sustainable future. In partnership with the Slovenian Tourist Board (STO) and Ljubljana Tourism, a series of individual events will be held in a four day period, including a technical conference hosted by Ana Roš and Andrea Petrini, culinary crawl through Ljubljana’s sights and landmarks accompanied by Ljubljana’s best chefs, pre-premier of the best culinary market in the region, an unforgettable experience dinner in a magical setting, gourmet ski race at Krvavec and much more.

In gastronomy, Slovenia has made strides in recent years and is gaining both allure and visibility when it comes to fine dining and excellent wines. Namely, gastronomy is one of the key tourist products that compose a modern tourism strategy and contribute greatly to the main objective – creating increased added value. 

The most important food event in the region, the European Food Summit conducted in previous years under the Gourmet Cup Ljubljana label, has been developing exponentially. Today, it is bound to a specific mission – to become the most important European culinary event and a unique platform that contributes to the shaping of a sustainable European future. Through a distinct gastronomic identity, it helps promote Slovenia as an important gastronomic region and Ljubljana as its culinary capital. 

In Slovenia at the junction of European geographies and cultures, between 16 and 19 March 2019, the European Food Summit will feature an extraordinary programme full of inspiring stories from the culinary world. 

“I am thrilled that Slovenia is able to host these famous professionals from the catering industry, because it must mean Slovenia has already become an important market in the region. Alongside international culinary experts and established chefs, the European Food Summit will also host top Slovenian chefs led by Ana Roš, making an important contribution towards improving Slovenia’s position as a destination offering genuine and remarkable five-star culinary experiences. That is why the Slovenian Tourist Board in cooperation with Ljubljana Tourism and other key partners is once again taking part in this projects focused on becoming Europe’s most important food event while at the same time realising its sustainable commitment to tourism in Slovenia. Accomplishments such as the ranking of our chefs in different lists, offers to participate in various associations and the most important media outlets, the introduction of Gault&Millau, the restaurant guide, the nomination for the European Region of Gastronomy 2021 and, last but not least, events such as the European Food Summit all contribute to the development and promotion of Slovenia as a land of unique experiences suitable for even the most demanding guests. Gastronomy is a vital element that complements every tourist offer that we should concentrate on to make it as authentic, special and as exclusive as possible. And it is gastronomy that offers a myriad of opportunities and also challenges for innovative, personalised products that set us apart from other destinations,” pointed out mag. Maja Pak, Director at the Slovenian Tourist Board. 

Mag. Petra Stušek, Director at Ljubljana Tourism, adds, “Gastronomy is becoming one of the main motivations driving visitor arrivals, and here, Ljubljana and the whole of Slovenia certainly have plenty to offer. With the European Food Summit, we want to intertwine gastronomy with unforgettable and exclusive experiences in combination with a technical conference and the opportunity to exchange knowledge at the highest level. Based on the awareness that gastronomy is a cultural element, the culinary crawl of Ljubljana will combine top cuisine and culture. In Ljubljana, we support events like these that are attractive both to the local and foreign public and are conducted in months characterised by lower tourist visit rates.”

On Saturday, 16 March, the European Food Summit in cooperation with partner Ljubljana Tourism and the Gourmet Ljubljana brand will kick off the pre-premiere of the Open Kitchen, the most popular food market on the sunny side of the Alps. Just under a week before its official opening at Pogačarjev trg (Pogačar Square), Open Kitchen will take place at the lobby of the beautiful Križanke at Trg francoske revolucije (French Revolution Square), where visitors will be treated to select dishes with an emphasis on Slovenian eateries and restaurants, complete with Slovenian wines, gins and craft beers.

Connoisseurs of food and wine will be invited to participate in Gourmet Ljubljana Crawl and treat themselves to inspiring dishes by Ljubljana’s top chefs, including Igor Jagodic (Restavracija Strelec), Janez Bratovž (JB Restavracija), Jakob Pintar (TaBar), Jorg Zupan (Atelje), Mojmir Šiftar (Evergreen) and Peter Kovač (Maxim). Their creations will be unveiled at Ljubljana’s cultural sights and landmarks that will be transformed into true pop-up eateries. 

On Sunday, 17 March, the principal portion of activities will be held at Krvavec, where attendees of Gourmet on Snow will get the opportunity to taste dishes by top Slovenian and foreign chefs. Excellent food will be accompanied by select sparkling and other wines by top Slovenian winemakers, complete with entertainment.

Without a doubt, the five-star I FEEL SLOVENIA Cable Car Dinner will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, where diners will be treated to a delicious adventure high among the mountaintops of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Renowned chefs under the watchful eyes of Jezeršek Catering and Gostilna Krištof Restaurant will pamper their guests with their culinary masterpieces. 

The pinnacle of the event will take place on Monday, 18 March, the day of the technical conference and experience dinner. 

Ana Roš, who once again is the driving force behind the event, explains, “Travels and journeys always start and end at a table, and people always return to where the food is great. And that is what our food is like – delicious and “green”, so it is high time to reveal our rich gastronomic heritage to the world. The conference, nine-course dinner and other culinary happenings taking place in scope of the European Food Summit are the best possible tool driving networking and exchange of opinion. Slovenia, located in the heart of Europe, has been presented a unique opportunity to bring together and blend the diversities of Europe.”

The main topic of this year’s conference, “Food – The bridge toward the sustainable identities of European cultures and nations”, sponsored by the partner STO, will be conducted in cooperation with Ana Roš and conference director, Andrea Petrini. Andrea Petrini is considered one of the key players in numerous culinary projects and one of the most influential personalities in gastronomy. 

At a single location and for the first time in Slovenia, we will be bringing together the greatest minds in culinary, art and media sectors. The event will see short inspirational appearances by illustrious speakers:

Including surprise appearances by other inspiring individuals who have made a gastronomic impact in Slovenia. 

Without a doubt, this year’s highlights will be the once again sold-out experience dinner hosted alongside the best Slovenian Chef Ana Roš (Hiša Franko) also by Italian culinary virtuoso Riccardo Camanini (Lido 84, Italy) and Luka Košir(Gostišče Grič), one of Slovenia’s most creative chefs and the European Region of Gastronomy 2021 ambassador. In the magical ambient of Ljubljana Castle, the nine-course menu will as customary be accompanied by an exquisite selection of top wines by Slovenian winemakers. 

The final from the series of events will be held on Tuesday, 19 March, at Krvavec. The day will start with Argeta Exclusive gourmet breakfast hosted by top chef Luka Košir. Skiers, snowboarders, winemakers and foodies will take to the slopes and compete for gold in the Audi Gourmet Cup while Krvavec Terrace will host Gourmet on Snow where visitors will get the opportunity to try creations by top chefs accompanied by exquisite wines. The day will conclude with an après-ski party. 

We have planned a fun and activity-filled day and invite all foodies to visit www.foodsummit.eu for more information. Join us between 16 and 19 March for an unforgettable European Food Summit!

For additional information and releases please contact us via e-mail at press@foodsummit.eu or call us at +386 (0)1 361 94 13.