{"id":29294,"date":"2024-05-17T10:52:38","date_gmt":"2024-05-17T08:52:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test-oldwebsite.igcat.org\/?p=29294"},"modified":"2024-06-28T13:28:38","modified_gmt":"2024-06-28T11:28:38","slug":"kvarner-recommended-for-the-title-of-european-region-of-gastronomy-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test-oldwebsite.igcat.org\/es\/kvarner-recommended-for-the-title-of-european-region-of-gastronomy-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Kvarner recommended for the title of European Region of Gastronomy 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

An international jury comprising of four international experts, accompanied by IGCAT\u2019s President, Diane Dodd PhD considered the application of Kvarner region for the title European Region of Gastronomy 2026. After reviewing the bid book: Diversity is Beautiful<\/a> submitted on 5 December 2023, the jury visited the region, 13-17 May 2024. The aim of the visit was to assess the region\u2019s appropriateness and readiness to host the title in 2026. \u00a0The jury will prepare a comprehensive report with recommendations to support the region\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n

During the visit, the jury met with more than 72 stakeholders from across the mountains, coast and islands such as local authorities, tourism directors, heritage experts, academics, business representatives, educationalists and local entities concerned with the development and protection of Kvarner as a gastronomic region. The jury was pleased to get to know so many stakeholders from public, private, third sector and academic institutions and applauded the efforts of all involved from many sectors in the strategies and plans for the region.<\/p>\n

General comments<\/strong><\/p>\n

The jury was impressed by how the vision for Kvarner, European Region of Gastronomy 2026 has been inspired and reinforced by the Action Plan for the Development of Gastronomy in the Kvarner region<\/strong>, which places particular attention on hospitality and responsible destination management. The work of the Kvarner Regional Tourism Authority<\/strong> and Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management<\/strong> has been exceptional in this regard and provides a road map for how multiple sectors working together can ensure the sustainable food future for Kvarner and contribute to an excellent European Region of Gastronomy.<\/p>\n

In particular, the jury commended the work of the Kvarner Tourism Board<\/strong> in engaging accommodation providers, food and wine producers, heritage managers, citizens, as well as educationalist across the region. \u00a0The jury witnessed an emerging interest to preserve the wellness of local citizens as well as their landscapes, food and culture and are confident that if all sectors commit to the Action Plan for the Development of Gastronomy\u00a0<\/strong>Kvarner will be able to achieve this. In particular, the jury recognised the leadership role of Per\u0161i\u0107 \u017divadinov, Director of Kvarner Tourism Board, her team and all the tourism managers from across the region that they met because of their committed to responsible and balanced tourism management. Notable thanks go to all the tourist boards in Kvarner Region, and especially to Opatija Tourist Board<\/strong>; Gorski Kotar Tourist Board; Kastav Tourist Board<\/strong>;\u00a0Rab Tourist Board<\/strong>; Cres Tourist Board<\/strong>; Lo\u0161inj Tourist Board<\/strong>; Krk Island Tourist Board<\/strong>; Vrbnik Tourist Board<\/strong>; Crikvenica Tourist Board<\/strong>; Vinodol Tourist Board<\/strong>; Kraljevica Tourist Board<\/strong>; Rijeka Tourist Board<\/strong> as well as Primorje-Gorski Kotar County<\/strong>; Fu\u017eine Municipality<\/strong>;\u00a0and Cres Municipality<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The jury also commended the work of the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management<\/strong> for educating on all levels for a higher-quality and responsible tourism. \u00a0The Faculty\u2019s research work on gastronomy and sustainability has ensured that the Action Plan for the Development of Gastronomy in the Kvarner Region<\/strong>\u00a0and the concrete action plans contained within are based on knowledge and evidence.<\/p>\n

While there is rich and beautiful diversity to be experienced across the region, the jury also appreciated an emerging common theme about health, well-being, vitality and the importance of local food, medicinal herbs, honey and pure water. These were seen throughout the visit and in particularly during the impressive guided tour of Opatija\u2019s Park Angiolina – Botanical Garden<\/strong>; the visit to Collection Olive Grove on the Trail of Centuries Old\u00a0Olive Grows <\/strong>on the island of Cres, the Agricultural Cooperative Cres<\/strong>; the House of Nature \u201cKota\u010d\u201d<\/strong> and in Lo\u0161inj`s Fragrant Garden<\/strong> as well as through the important activities of the\u00a0Association of Beekeepers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The jury were also impressed by the investment, creativity and innovation with regard to heritage interpretation and they applauded efforts made to connect these to food experiences in interesting ways, as witnessed in Apoxyomenos Museum<\/strong> (Lo\u0161inj), Nerezinac Lugger Sailing Interpretation Centre<\/strong>, Frankopan Interpretation Centre<\/strong> at Nova Kraljevica Castle<\/strong> (Kraljevica) and the Rijeka City Museum – Sugar Refinery Palace<\/strong> (Rijeka). On this note, the jury enjoyed the professionalism and knowledge of all the official guides that shared their immense knowledge and love for the region.<\/p>\n

The jury agreed that one of the strongest assets within the region is the quantity and quality of indigenous plants (grapes, olives and herbs) and, in particularly the exclusive grape varieties that they were able to discover. The jury were impressed by the exceptionally high-quality wines and congratulate the wineries for their dedication and collaborate through the\u00a0Association of Wineries and Winemakers<\/strong> and were impressed by the general consensus that wineries can support their local communities more by making sure their wine is exclusive for locals and visitors.<\/p>\n

The jury noted the great role that the hospitality sector is playing, and the role that Kvarner Quality Labels will play in helping visitors to identify where they can buy local. \u00a0The jury expect many more restaurants, wineries, accommodation providers and events across the region will be recognized for their quality and commitment to local food in the future. \u00a0The jury were pleased to see that Kvarner\u2019s new labels will ensure that good food, across the range, is available for everyone.<\/p>\n

On this note, the jury wish to thank everyone that provided incredible food, hospitality and generosity throughout the visit and especially: Bitoraj Hotel & Restaurant<\/strong>; Heritage Hotel and Restaurant Kukuriku<\/strong>; Plavi Podrum restaurant<\/strong>; Navis Boutique & Design Hotel<\/strong>; Agricultural Cooperative Cres<\/strong>; EVOO Macmali\u0107<\/strong>; Dairy Farm Loznati and <\/strong>Bukaleta tavern<\/strong>; Moby Dick Gelateria<\/strong>; Ru\u017ei\u0107 Winery<\/strong>; Plovani\u0107 Winery<\/strong>; Wines Komadina<\/strong>; Nada Restaurant and Winery<\/strong>; Katunar Estate Winery<\/strong>; Gospoja<\/strong>; \u0160ipun Winery<\/strong>; Agricultural Cooperative Vrbnik<\/strong>; \u201c\u0161urlice\u201d home-made pasta presentation<\/strong>; Eva restaurant<\/strong>; Lo\u0161inj Hotels & Villas<\/strong> – Villa Alhambra;<\/strong> Alfred Keller Restaurant; <\/strong>Dida Restaurant<\/strong>; Na Kantunu tavern<\/strong>; Heritage Hotel Imperial, Opatija<\/strong>;\u00a0Boutique Hotel Esplanade, Crikvenica<\/strong>; and\u00a0Boutique & Design Hotel Navis, Opatija<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The jury noted the important role of the ambassadors for their commitment to protecting and promoting the regional food, as well as their efforts to raise the visibility of the candidacy.<\/p>\n

The jury furthermore wanted to thank each and every person they met that collectively and by working together for the region have created a wonderful impression of Kvarner as a world-class gastronomic destination:<\/p>\n

Irena Per\u0161i\u0107 \u017divadinov, Director Kvarner Region Tourist Board
\nRenata Vincek, Head of Projects Management Kvarner Region Tourist Board
\nIrina Ban, Gastronomy Projects Associate Kvarner Region Tourist Board
\nAlessandra Ban, Head of Department for tourism, entrepreneurship and rural development Primorje-Gorski kotar county
\nDora Smol\u010di\u0107 Jurdana, PhD, Tenure Professor, Head of Institute of Tourism, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management
\nGreta Kre\u0161i\u0107, PhD., Tenure Professor, Head of Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management
\nMarko Peri\u0107, Ph.D., Full Professor and Dean, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management
\nSini\u0161a Bogdan, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Vice Dean for International Cooperation, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management
\nKre\u0161imir Mikinac, Ph. D., Assistant Professor Head of the Institute of Hospitality, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management
\nAna \u010cui\u0107 Tankovi\u0107, Ph.D., Associate Professor Department of Marketing, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management
\n\u017darko Stilin, Kvarner Wines Ambassador
\nMarinko Kauzlari\u0107, ambassador and owner, Bitoraj Hotel & Restaurant
\nNenad Kukurin, ambassador and owner Heritage Hotel and Restaurant Kukuriku
\nDavor Andri\u0107, ambassador from the island of Rab
\nEgle Katunar, Ivan Katunar Wine House and ambassador
\nVlasta Brozi\u010devi\u0107 MD, ambassador and owner of Terme Selce Clinic
\nDaniela Kramari\u0107, ambassador and owner of Plavi Podrum restaurant
\nKruno Kapetanovi\u0107, ambassador and owner of Navis Boutique & Design Hotel
\nPetar Hrg, Director, Gorski kotar Tourist Board
\nSa\u0161a Brusi\u0107, Director, Kastav Tourist Board
\nEmma Superina, representative, Opatija Tourist Board
\nIvana Matu\u0161an, Director Rab Tourist Board
\nZeljka Sta\u0161i\u0107, Director, Cres Tourist Board
\nZrinka Masalin, Marketing Manager, Lo\u0161inj Tourist Board
\nDalibor Cvitkovi\u0107, Director, Lo\u0161inj Tourist Board
\nNino \u010cutul, Director, Vrbnik Tourist Board
\nMarijana Biondi\u0107, Director, Crikvenica Tourist Board
\nGordana Jelenovi\u0107, Marketing Manager, Crikvenica Tourist Board
\nAlenka Spoja, Director, Vinodol Tourist Board
\nJelena Mate\u0161evac Sko\u010dili\u0107, Director, Kraljevica Tourist Board
\nPetar Skarpa, Director, Rijeka Tourist Board
\nAntonija Kardum, representative of Rijeka Tourist Board
\nSilvija Sobol, Director, Department for Tourism, Fu\u017eine Municipality
\nMarin Gregorovi\u0107, Mayor of Cres Municipality
\nProf. Dra\u017een Lu\u0161i\u0107, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Health Studies of the University of Rijeka, and President of the Beekeepers Association of Primorje-Gorski kotar County
\nIrina Tomi\u0107, President of the Board, Jadran dd Crikvenica
\nMiroslav Palinka\u0161, winemaker and President of the Kvarner Wines Association
\nFranko Ru\u017ei\u0107, winemaker, Ru\u017ei\u0107 Winery
\nDejan Rube\u0161a, winemaker, Plovani\u0107 Winery
\nMarko Komadina, Wines Komadina
\nIvan Jurani\u0107, Nada Winery
\nToni Katunar, Katunar Estate Winery
\nAnton Brusi\u0107, Gospoja
\nIvica Dobrin\u010di\u0107, Winery \u0160ipun
\nDenis Matani\u0107, Agricultural Cooperative Vrbnik
\nEmil Brusi\u0107, oenologist
\n\u017deljka Dobrin\u010di\u0107, presenter of \u201c\u0161urlice\u201d home-made pasta
\nJelena Milo\u0161evi\u0107, Beekeeper and producer
\nVid Arbanas, producer, House of nature \u201cKota\u010d\u201d
\nMateo Ferari\u0107, Agricultural Cooperative Cres
\nDaniele Surdi\u0107, producer and certified taster, EVOO Macmali\u0107
\nSandra Nicolich, owner, Lo\u0161inj`s Fragrant Garden
\nBruno \u017dic, Producer, Dairy farm Loznati
\nVesna Jaki\u0107, President, Ruta Wool&Design Association
\nPetar Gole\u0161, Moby Dick Gelateria
\nZrinka Ettinger Star\u010di\u0107, Director, Lo\u0161inj Museum of Apoxyomenos
\nKarlo Asl, Captain, Nerezinac Lugger
\nSandra Poli\u0107 \u017divkovi\u0107, Heritage Interpreter at the Routes of the Frankopans, Nova Kraljevica Castle Interpretation Centre
\nDaria Dadi\u0107, Museum Curator, Rijeka City Museum – Sugar Refinery Palace
\nMarijan Mavri\u0107, local painter
\nDu\u0161an Rebernik, President, Fishing Association Arbun
\nJosip Pizent, local fisherman
\nKatarina Mureta, Association of pensioners of the City of Crikvenica and the Municipality of Vinodol
\nDaliborka Todorovi\u0107, Director, Vladimir Nazor school
\nDesire Pe\u010daver, Director Vladmir Car school
\nMario \u0160ubat, owner, Eva restaurant
\nDaniel Ku\u0107ica, owner, Bukaleta restaurant
\nMichael Gollenz, chef, Alfred Keller Restaurant
\nZoran Pejovi\u0107, Chief Growth and Strategy Officer Jadranka Tourism – Lo\u0161inj Hotels & VIllas
\nMario Bobanovi\u0107, Corporate Culinary Chef, Jadranka Tourism – Lo\u0161inj Hotels & VIllas
\nDida Restaurant
\nNa Kantunu Tavern
\nHeritage Hotel Imperial, Opatja
\nVilla Alhambra, Lo\u0161inj
\nBoutique Hotel Esplanade, Crikvenica
\nBoutique & Design Hotel Navis, Opatja
\nMarina Iskra, guide
\nLivio Karavani\u0107, guide
\nBranka Fugo\u0161i\u0107, guide
\nSandra Bandera, guide<\/p>\n

The jury wish to note that the Award will give extra stimulus for the stakeholders to continue and deepen their cooperation; share knowledge and cross-marketing opportunities with other awarded and candidate Regions of Gastronomy, thus providing international visibility.<\/p>\n

Recommendation<\/strong><\/p>\n

The jury appreciated that the bid:<\/p>\n