I am honoured to support the Kvarner region’s participation in the European Region of Gastronomy project for several reasons: healthy gastronomy is essential in attracting high-demanding tourists, as well as improving the lifestyle of locals, following the 3H principle: Healthy, Happy, and Hedonistic. Altogether, this presents a challenge for the creativity of everyone in involved the process.
Wine is not just our business; it is our lifestyle, which is why we aim to create poetry in a glass.
The project ‘Kvarner – European Region of Gastronomy 2026’ signifies, for me as a restaurant owner from this area, the international recognition and elevation of our efforts, love, and perseverance in safeguarding the gastronomic identity of this region. For us veterans in this industry, it serves as a tailwind, propelling us forward on this journey. Being an ambassador for the project is both a personal honor and a Responsibility.
In the Croatian language, we have a beautiful word, blagovati (to dine). It denotes the hedonistic enjoyment of food with all the senses, in the company of family and close friends – passionate enjoyment but also respect for food, preparation and the moment.
Throughout my career I have been committed to quality, indigenousness, gastronomy culture, and education for constant progress. I am happy that the region to which I belong, where I was born and raised, is on the path of excellence. The candidacy for the European Region of Gastronomy is certainly a great step forward for Kvarner as a destination of exquisite food and excellent wines.
I enjoy my work and I am proud to contribute, and with my support I will continue to contribute to the development of our beautiful Kvarner into a true capital of fantastic food, excellent local wines and educated, young, creative people.
Cooking makes me happy, and the joy I can give my guests through food is the reason why I am in this business. My constant inspiration is my grandmother’s Kvarner cuisine, which I grew up with.
Entrepreneur, hotelier and restaurateur with many years of experience, he is a promoter, motivator and initiator of numerous actions to improve not only the tourist offer of the destination but also the standard of living of the local population
Will, strength, enthusiasm, and passion are the main driving forces of Nenad Kukurin, one of the pioneers of the “slow food movement” in Croatia.
I believe that the Kvarner region belongs to a group of European regions that think in a very similar way about gastronomy and share a passion for gastronomy. I am dedicated to gastronomy in a much broader sense than just cooking. For me, my wife Tea Vunić, and our family, it is a way of life, our way to respect the tradition and identity of this region.
Nature has left us an inheritance of exceptional foods, we cherish them with tradition, and today we shape them with knowledge and passion. Being an ambassador for Kvarner Region – European Region of Gastronomy 2026, is a great honour and obligation.
The shores of Lake Saimaa are my home and my main task is to take the industry forward and ensure that knowledge is passed on to future generations here. This is a great opportunity to really work with larger audiences, it is time for Saimaa.