December 1, 2019 - Gastroadvent opened in Split on Sunday, December 1, at cult pizzeria Galija. The first Gastroadvent candle was lit by portal journalists to the sounds of opera music. 

Split Gastroadvent is a unique manifestation that is a fusion of nutrition, gastronomy and tourism. For the past ten years, the event has promoted the Mediterranean diet and leaves a mark through its work and messages about Mediterranean foods.

Along with valuable hosts and patrons, the highest trace over the past ten years has been left by journalists who bring light to the city of Split every Sunday of Advent.

And this year, the central ingredient of Gastroadvent is just as valuable to the city of Split.

Namely,  rosemary is an integral part of the Mediterranean diet. It is originally from Europe and has been used since ancient times when students decorated their heads with rosemary wreaths, thinking that it has a beneficial effect on memory. Rosemary leaves and the essential oil obtained by distilling leaves are officially medicinal according to European regulations. Rosemary leaf contains natural phenolic compounds and is therefore considered medicine and a spice. By its antioxidant properties, it is the most potent food. It grows on rocky soil, withstands salt and high temperatures, and its habitat is carbonate rocks.

Rosemary could not exist without its home, stone. The same stone that Diocletian's Palace is made of, which was protected 40 years ago by UNESCO. This year's Gastroadvent wreath is made of stone and was crafted by the students of the Stonemasonry School in Pucisca, Brac, which boasts 120 years of existence. 

Cult Pizzeria Galija is an exclusive partner of this year's Gastroadvent and for the opening occasion, presented a unique selection of dishes using rosemary.

Thus, Galija created crispy tapioca, crescent rolls with cod, baba ganoush, bruschetta mondo, mussels au gratin, rosemary risotto, Mediterranean dumplings, rib-eye steak, lemon and rosemary tart, baked pears with walnuts and rosemary, pizza dough with goat cheese and forest fruit, and pizzas. 

Kabola winery from Istria and Matejusko from Peljesac had their wine on offer. 

Gastroadvent is held every Sunday of Advent at a different location in Split. Total Split will be reporting all December long. 

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

December 23, 2018 - The fourth and final Gastroadvent candles for 2018 were lit on Sunday, December 23, 2018, at Konoba-Pizzeria Galija in Split. This time, the candles were lit by radio station journalists and representatives of tourist boards and Split-Dalmatia County.

This year's Gastroadvent aims to highlight the importance of consuming garlic and water and their role in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. The two ingredients are an indispensable ingredient of our traditional recipes and found in many of our dishes - and even in pastries!

Garlic, on the other hand, is a plant known for its robust flavor - and it helps to know that it carries top quality culinary and medical properties. The main ingredient in garlic is allicin, which possesses miraculous antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and antioxidant properties. Just some of the benefits of garlic are that it stimulates circulation and acts as anti-hypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-cholesterol, and thus promotes the formation of H2S in the body. Garlic has anti-malarial activity, especially for the digestive system and regulation of the intestinal flora - and its sulfur compounds protect against stress and act as an antioxidant!

The medicinal properties of garlic come in direct contact with the soil where it grows, and because the area around Split is rich in thermal springs, garlic, as well as other vegetables are considered extremely healthy. Thermal waters soak in the soil, making it unique for vegetation while its volatile components improve the air quality at the same time. Sulfuric thermal waters are used in therapy for dermatology, respiratory problems, and especially in chronic rheumatism and neuralgia. Sulfuric thermal water is also helpful in chronic fatigue and anti-stress programs.

For the fourth and final Gastroadvent meeting at Split’s cult pizzeria Galija, visitors enjoyed a strudel of Bakalar with toasted garlic, white pizza with garlic, savory fritule with mayonnaise and garlic, cow skuta cheese with a garlic dressing and homemade dried fig marmalade, ravioli with salmon and shrimp in a white garlic sauce, tuna, roast beef, and a white cake with black garlic. 

In addition to the dishes designed for this occasion, specialty wines were selected by Emil Novak, who presented wines that blend with white garlic, including Maraština, Perišin, Pošip, PerišinOpol, Matela Plavac Mali, Matela  Crljenak, and Putalj.

Gastrobajter

The final event even featured pirates from Omiš! 

The Gastroadvent manifestation this year included Konoba Lučac tavern, Movi, Pizzeria Galija, Bokerija, Bakra-Steak & Pizza Bar, Zora Bila, Marvi Hotel, Hotel Vestibul, Hotel Park, ZOI, Brasserie on 7, and Apetit. 

To learn more about Gastroadvent, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

December 16, 2018 - The third advent candle was lit on Sunday for Gastroadvent at the City of Split Museum, complete with the flavors of the distinguished Split restaurant "Perivoj" and chef Braco Sanjin.

Sunday’s candle was lit by the help of portal journalists alongside exclusive guests and representatives of the Split Tourist Board and Split-Dalmatia County. Gastroadvent organizer Olja Martinic again introduced the theme for this year’s favorite event: garlic and thermal water. 

Specifically, this year's Gastroadvent aims to highlight the importance of consuming garlic and water and their role in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. 

“Water is the source and the base of everyday life on earth, a prerequisite for human biological survival,” reads the first sentence in the book about Split water by Stanko Piplović.

Scientists investigate the existence of creeks, sea life, wells, cisterns and fountains, and sanatoriums marked by sulfur water. Our region is well-known for Diocletian's aqueduct, a nine-kilometre-long flawless construction that is admired by the most modern designers, which brings water from the source of the Jadro river to the proximity of the palace. Split is the city of water (seawater, thermal water, spring water, and rainwater), which anticipates a great economic and tourism future. 

Garlic, on the other hand, is a plant known for its robust flavor - and it helps to know that it carries top quality culinary and medical properties. The main ingredient in garlic is allicin, which possesses miraculous antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and antioxidant properties. Just some of the benefits of garlic are that it stimulates circulation and acts as anti-hypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-cholesterol, and thus promotes the formation of H2S in the body. Garlic has anti-malarial activity, especially for the digestive system and regulation of the intestinal flora - and its sulfur compounds protect against stress and act as an antioxidant!

The medicinal properties of garlic come in direct contact with the soil where it grows, and because the area around Split is rich in thermal springs, garlic, as well as other vegetables are considered extremely healthy. Thermal waters soak in the soil, making it unique for vegetation while its volatile components improve the air quality at the same time. Sulfuric thermal waters are used in therapy for dermatology, respiratory problems, and especially in chronic rheumatism and neuralgia. Sulfuric thermal water is also helpful in chronic fatigue and anti-stress programs.

At Split’s famous Gothic Renaissance palace, the Museum of the City of Split, journalists enjoyed the creations by Braco Sanjin of Perivoj, who prepared pljukanci with bakalar and collard greens, smoked shrimp and mussels, fuži with shrimp, garlic, and chilli, gregada, and pasta fazol in a brudet. 

The desserts were made by Dolcemania, who prepared six different cakes, including the famous Split cake, Trogir cake, and Kaštela cake. 

And for the wine, guests enjoyed Rukatac Pilač, Pošip Krolo, and Plavac Violić from Wine Box, which specializes in promoting small vineyards and native Dalmatian wine varieties.

The Gastroadvent manifestation this year includes Konoba Lučac tavern, Movi, Pizzeria Galija, Bokerija, Bakra-Steak & Pizza Bar, Zora Bila, Marvi Hotel, Hotel Vestibul, Hotel Park, ZOI, Brasserie on 7, and Apetit. 

To learn more about Gastroadvent, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

December 2, 2018 - Local journalists joined forces at Chops Grill in Split on Sunday to officially light the first Advent candle for Gastroadvent.

The first Advent candle for Gastroadvent was lit on Sunday at the famous Split restaurant Chops Grill Steak & Seafood. The first candle was burned by Croatian journalists and representatives of Split-Dalmatia County, including Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board director Joško Stella, Split-Dalmatia County prefect Blaženko Boban, and Split Tourist Board director Alijana Vukšić. 

After the initial presentation of Split’s increasingly positive tourism results, Gastroadvent organizer Olja Martinic introduced the theme for this year’s favorite event: garlic and thermal water. 

Specifically, this year's Gastroadvent aims to highlight the importance of consuming garlic and water and their role in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. Garlic is a plant known for its robust flavor - and it helps to know that it carries top quality culinary and medical properties. 

The main ingredient in garlic is allicin, which possesses miraculous antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and antioxidant properties. Just some of the benefits of garlic are that it stimulates circulation and acts as anti-hypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-cholesterol, and thus promotes the formation of H2S in the body. Garlic has anti-malarial activity, especially for the digestive system and regulation of the intestinal flora - and its sulfur compounds protect against stress and act as an antioxidant!

The medicinal properties of garlic come in direct contact with the soil where it grows, and because the area around Split is rich in thermal springs, garlic, as well as other vegetables are considered extremely healthy. Thermal waters soak in the soil, making it unique for vegetation while its volatile components improve the air quality at the same time. Sulfuric thermal waters are used in therapy for dermatology, respiratory problems, and especially in chronic rheumatism and neuralgia. Sulfuric thermal water is also helpful in chronic fatigue and anti-stress programs.

Chops Grill created a stunning spread using the prized ingredients, including focaccia with garlic and rosemary, bruschetta with beefsteak, horseradish, and garlic, fried monkfish with a white garlic dip, Caesar salad, risotto with shrimp and garlic, pasta with garlic, chili and almonds, and much more. 

There was even a fantastic selection of wines!

Sunday marked the 9th edition of Gastroadvent, which was inspired by the passing of journalist Maja Stanisljević.

"When we first started Gastroadvent eight years ago, a beautiful, beautiful journalist who loved the environment and gastronomy and followed all the food and beverage fairs, Maja Stanisljevic, passed away. We then sat down and agreed that journalists bring light to the city - they deserve it because they work all year long, and this is the time when the city of Split needs to be honored,” said Gastroadvent organizer Olja Martinić at last year’s event.

To learn more about Split Advent, follow TCN's dedicated page here.  

Split journalists came together for the third edition of this year’s Gastroadvent at the Hotel Vestibul Palace.

Local journalists, Split restaurants, and representatives of the city joined forces to officially light the first Advent candle for Gastroadvent.