LJUBLJANA: One of Europe’s most important culinary events, the European Food Summit, is back in Ljubljana this November after its premiere in 2019.
Food, food, food. With a healthy dose of food-focused events from culinary walks and dinners to a gastronomy-oriented symposium, the European Food Summit (EFS) attracts some of the top names in the food world for what has become an important culinary event on the continent. Even though it’s a fairly new event, premiering in 2019, people have been talking about it ever since. It was not held last year (2020) due to the COVID pandemic, which saw the cancellation of most major events in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and beyond.
The European Food Summit raises awareness of the global impact of food, and brings together great minds from around the world to create a better tomorrow.
Taking place between 6th and 8th November 2021, here’s what visitors to this year’s summit can expect.
Gourmet Ljubljana Crawl
Anyone who wishes to experience the cuisine, culture, and architecture of a city in one plate will definitely want to experience the Gourmet Ljubljana Crawl. At several spots across town, some of Slovenia’s most famous chefs will prepare top-quality authentic dishes with local ingredients, served with selected wines by the best Slovenian winemakers. Get ready for a delicious stroll through the streets of Ljubljana.This event is organised in collaboration with Visit Ljubljana and the Gourmet Ljubljana brand.
Ljubljana Soul Chefs, 3 Ljubljana Restaurants
Sunday, 7th November, 7-9pm
Top Ljubljana chefs shall pair up their culinary souls for an unforgettable culinary adventure on Sunday evening (the second evening of the EFS). In three different restaurants across Ljubljana, they shall prepare a one-of-a-kind menu using local ingredients. The following chef tandems await you:
FIRST CHEF TANDEM: Jakob Pintar of TaBar and Mojmir Šiftar of Pen Klub Restaurant, at Pen Klub Restaurant.
SECOND CHEF TANDEM: Gregor Jelnikar of Monstera Bistro and Sebastjan Elbl of Gostilna na Gradu, at Gostilna na Gradu.
THIRD CHEF TANDEM: Igor Jagodic of Strelec Restaurant and Janez Bratovž of JB Restaurant, at JB Restaurant.
This event is organised in collaboration with Visit Ljubljana and the Gourmet Ljubljana brand.
European Food Summit Symposium
Monday, 8th November, 9am – 5pm
The EFS will reach its peak at Monday’s symposium, which will take place at Ljubljana Castle. It features discussions led by international and Slovenian keynote speakers whose actions speak louder than words and who contribute to world knowledge in the fields of food and nutrition. Among the speakers are chefs Rene Redzepi, Angel Leon, Nicolai Norregaard, Colombe Saint-Pierre and Rebecca Clopath. Other speakers include author John Lancaster, journalist Marie-Claude Lortie, Parabere Forum president Maria Canabal among others.
Click here for more information and the full programme.
Experience Dinner
Monday, 8th November, 8pm – midnight
On the last evening of the European Food Summit, some of the best chefs in Slovenia will treat their guests to a grand Experience Dinner in which the history of Slovenian gastronomy will be told. The very best-rated Slovenian chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants will join forces in preparing masterpieces for the occasion. The Experience Dinner this year will mirror the successes that Slovenian chefs are deriving by means of the Michelin Guide, all to the benefit and delight of their dinner guests.
The EFS symposium is curated by Ana Roš from Hiša Franko Restaurant, recipient of two Michelin stars and 7th Best Chef at the The Best Chef Awards 2021, together with Andrea Petrini, one of the most influential writers and personalities in the world of gastronomy.
Slovenia is experiencing a real culinary revival lately. These factors all make Slovenia one of the best culinary destinations in the world: globally renowned Slovenian chefs, gaining the title European Gastronomic Region 2021, classifying Ljubljana among the world’s best culinary destinations, and the arrival of international culinary guides Gault & Millau and the Michelin Guide. Slovenia is also being recognised for its high-class gastronomic experiences and attitude towards food.
Slovenia is one of the countries with very low levels of food waste. Its inhabitants support local food production, which is why food travels the shortest distance from the field to the plate. This is how Slovenia has gained a good reputation for its farm-to-table food scene. A lot of importance is given to the production of local ingredients. Not only are they of high quality, but local producers are also doing their best to ensure that they leave the smallest carbon footprint possible in the production process.
Martin Jezeršek, Managing Director at Jezersek Catering, and European Food Summit Event Organiser, said: “We wish to bring to the table some burning issues, which are important for the development and the future of food, as well as for gastronomy. At the end of the summit, we wish to obtain conclusions that will be useful for each participant. We must not forget that the world today needs food that is grown and used responsibly, and above all, that there is enough for everyone. But we also need food which is good for our body, mind and spirit, perhaps more than ever before.”
Denise Rejec is a freelance writer from Malta who specialises in covering Slovenia’s culinary and wine scene. She writes her own blog Wine Dine Slovenia. Food, music, and the scent of the herb-infused, salty Mediterranean air over a sip of wine are just some of the things that make her world go round.
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