27. May 2023.

As part of the celebration of 145 years of tourism in Novi Vinodolski, a rich program was created not only for visitors but also for those shaping the destination’s offer – hospitality professionals. The training cycle included four educational events held over two weeks at different locations, bringing to Novi Vinodolski experts from the gastronomy and oenology fields.

At the first training, chef Damir Tomljanović spoke about current trends in gastronomy, ingredients, their quality and preparation methods, what is important to know, how to approach kitchen staff, and shared practical examples from his extensive experience. The second training was a raw food workshop, where Ms. Spomenka Marković prepared dishes and drinks from raw ingredients, showing that this healthy way of eating can be easy to prepare, accessible, and very tasty. Participants enjoyed almond milk, meal salads, savory bites, and delicious desserts. In addition to the tasting and presentation, they also received the recipes by email so they could recreate the dishes themselves. A similar workshop will be held this Saturday during the FIT4NOVI event for all other interested individuals.

The third session was dedicated to desserts and led by pastry chef Lorena Otavijević, who brought a beautifully decorated cake and pastries. In addition to taste, she emphasized the importance of presentation, sharing tips for creating irresistible, visually appealing sweets.

The final, but no less important, workshop focused on the increasingly popular topic of wine – wine tasting and table etiquette. Kvarner sommelier Lucija Matijević gave a presentation on how to open sparkling and still wines, how to taste them properly, what to look for in wine, the characteristics of different varieties, and important hospitality knowledge related to table culture and etiquette. This marked the conclusion of the workshop series, held at Marina Novi, the Cultural Centre, City Hall, and finally at Wyndham Resort Novi.

“I must say the workshops were truly interesting and educational, led by professionals with long-standing experience in their fields. I regret that the attendance wasn’t higher because these are relevant, interesting, and above all, educational topics whose proper implementation can raise the overall quality of the destination. I thank the Croatian National Tourist Board for recognizing and supporting this initiative, as well as the Ministry of Tourism and Sports for sponsoring the celebration of 145 years of organized tourism in Novi Vinodolski,” said Tena Peričić, Director of the Tourist Board of the City of Novi Vinodolski.