The city of Velika Gorica hosted the third round of the Croatian Culinary Cup 2026, a competition that brought together young chefs, locally sourced ingredients and an educational programme dedicated to the gastronomy of this region. The event was co-organised by the Croatian Culinary Federation, the Zagreb County Tourist Board, the City of Velika Gorica and the Vocational Secondary School Velika Gorica, with a strong emphasis on sustainability in gastronomy.
The competition was officially opened by the Mayor of Velika Gorica, Krešimir Ačkar, who welcomed the participants, expressed his support and highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for young people in their professional development.
“Supporting young people in their professional growth must go beyond words. Events like this give them the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, gain new experience and receive recognition for their efforts. Through such opportunities, young individuals build confidence, develop their skills and gain additional motivation for future work. By hosting an event of this scale, Velika Gorica is actively supporting the generations to come,” stated Mayor Ačkar.
The competition featured ten young chefs who prepared one hundred meals for the students of the Vocational Secondary School Velika Gorica. Through their dishes, they showcased ingredients typical of the region, with a particular highlight on Turopolje truffles. By using local produce, the competitors demonstrated the importance of building gastronomy on ingredients that originate from the very landscape they represent.
“Local gastronomy is not only about what we serve on the plate, but also about how we respect and nurture the ingredients that come from our region. Zagreb County boasts a rich tradition, from Turopolje truffles to locally produced wines, and it is essential that young chefs understand that quality begins long before a dish reaches the guest. Competitions like this create opportunities for young talents to connect with our culinary heritage and, in doing so, with our community,” said Ivana Alilović, Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board.
The contestants were evaluated by an expert jury composed of professionals from various fields of gastronomy. Dishes were judged on creativity, technical execution and the use of local ingredients, while the young chefs also received valuable feedback to support their further professional development.
Following the competition, an educational presentation dedicated to the indigenous Škrlet wine of Turopolje was held. Darko Lugarić from the Sommelier Club Croatia spoke about pairing sparkling wines from Zagreb County with dishes, while Vlado Mikulčić, President of the Grozd Winemakers Association, presented Škrlet, its history and its significance for the region. This segment further connected gastronomy, wine and local tradition.
The Croatian Culinary Cup is intended for young chefs up to the age of 35 and, through the use of traditional ingredients, encourages the preservation of Croatia’s culinary heritage while fostering the development of new generations of chefs. The project is implemented by the Croatian Culinary Federation in cooperation with partners of the “Flavours of Croatian Tradition” initiative, with the aim of promoting local ingredients, culinary heritage and the values that make Croatian gastronomy distinctive. Following Velika Gorica, the competition continues with the semi-final in Osijek, where young chefs will once again have the opportunity to showcase their knowledge, skills and creativity.
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