AWARDS 2019
At the gala event for the publication of Gault&Millau Slovenia, 9 awards were presented.
The award winners of Gault&Millau Slovenia for the year 2019 are:
1. Igor Jagodic: Chef of the Year 2019
Chef Igor Jagodic has been at the helm of Strelec restaurant ever since 2012. His masterful plates and polished dishes have shot the restaurant at the Archer's Tower of Ljubljana castle between the culinary stars. His dishes represent the crossroads of the Alps, the Adriatic Sea and the Pannonia Plain, connecting the past with modern technologies and trying to reinvent traditional food in a new, fresh way.
Two restaurants received the same amount of points and were both awarded the Best Restaurant title for 2019.
2. Gostilna pri Lojzetu: Best Restaurant 2019
For Kavčič, the most important thing is an excellent basic ingredient. It must be local and fresh, not too concerned with other ingredients and most of all, it has to be presented to the guests in such a way that they will feel the chef's love through his food. He doesn't like to complicate, neither in food preparation nor in the naming of his dishes – his style is simple – respect tradition, your environment and the four seasons.
3. Hiša Franko: Best Restaurant 2019
Even though Hiša Franko is located in one of the most remote parts of Slovenia, its eyes were always set out to the whole world. At first, when this popular farm restaurant was led by Franko Kramar but now, Ana Roš and Valter Kramar are writing a new chapter. For many people, balancing an initial simple country restaurant with the world's elite would be a mission impossible but Ana and Valter continue in their own style, with no deviations from their starting idea.
4. Janez Bratovž: Contribution to the Progress of Slovenian Contemporary Cuisine
Chef Janez Bratovž is one of the best Slovene culinary masters and also one of the manors of Slovene cuisine. During a quarter of a century on the culinary scene, his worldly and famous plates won the hearts of people who love being pampered in his JB restaurant in Ljubljana. He focuses his attention to the best ingredients and their tastes, which he perfects with polished techniques. There aren’t many ingredients on the plate, but the textures and tastes
fit together breathtakingly because he is
a true perfectionist.
5. David Vračko: Chef of the Future
The avant-garde chef David Vračko gained his experience in famous restaurants all over the world and for the last 7 years, he has been cooking at Mak restaurant in Maribor. He has shaken the culinary scene of Slovenia: at first glance, he looks more like a painter and he does not simply answer a question – he tells a story. This story unfolds at Mak, without an expected menu. The chef surprises with his constantly changing, different, unexpected combinations and the guests never know what they're going to get even though they learn about the ingredients beforehand.
6. Meta Repovž: Traditional Cuisine Chef 2019
Gostilna Repovž is not just one of the best Slovenian restaurants: it is also an eco farm and homestead where the whole family works together. At the entrance, you will notice the inscription »For kind souls and curious stomachs,« so it is no wonder why everybody feels good there – the locals at the bar and guests from Slovenia and abroad who came to fill their curious stomachs. In the kitchen, everything is under the calm control of chef Meta Repovž. Her philosophy is simple, connected to tradition, childhood memories and fresh products from the neighbouring farms.
7. Mojmir Marko Šiftar: Young Talent 2019
Šiftar does not hide his healthy ambitions, just like he does not hide his love for tea: he has published a book called 44 Shades of Tea and says it is his absolute favourite ingredient, which you can notice on his plates. The daring young chef used to be the captain of the Slovene Culinary National Junior team and won several medals in competitions abroad. Today, he creates at Evergreen restaurant.
8. Odprta kuhna: Best pop 2019
Slovene model Alma Kochavy and Israeli Lior Kochavy have proved that love really goes through the stomach when they stirred up the project of Open Kitchen in 2013. Overnight, this became a gastronomic hit and one of the most fun tourist attractions in Ljubljana. EveryFfriday from early spring to late autumn, everybody who likes good street food and good company meets at Pogačarjev Trg, let it be the locals or tourists. Even though it gets incredibly crowded, the kindness and peace of everyone there has become almost proverbial: sooner or later, everybody will nd a spot where they can try the goodies of the street.
9. Matic Šubic: Best Service 2019
Šubic is always kind and calm. He knows a great deal about wine and food pairings and knows all the details of the food he serves and the techniques that were used by the chef. He listens carefully and has a wonderful ability to lead a guest discretely through the wine pairings without imposing his own taste. His service is impeccable and he is constantly trying to get better and learn new things. He loves to travel and is a regular guest of excellent restaurants around the world. Lately, he has been fascinated about the high culinary standard of Slovenia but at the same time saddened by the fact that the profession of a waiter is losing its value. The profession he adores so much and does so well.
