November 28, 2021 - The 2021 Gastroadvent opened on Sunday, November 28, to once again honor media and the Mediterranean diet. The opening was held at SidiBar on the West Coast in Split, this time to celebrate print journalists and dishes created with Drniš prosciutto. 

The first Gastroadvent candle was lit on Sunday by print media journalists, digital nomads, and representatives of Split-Dalmatia County and the tourist boards. The event is traditionally organized by famous dietician and nutritionist Olja Martinić.

Gastroadvent is a unique event that has promoted the Mediterranean diet for decades through a fusion of nutrition, gastronomy, and tourism. Thanks to the engagement and participation of dedicated journalists, who continue to bring light to Split, the event persistently shares scientific knowledge woven into gastronomic skills, the numerous health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, and the preparation of dishes from unique ingredients. 

The theme of this year's Gastroadvent is "Mediterranean nutrition is sustainable, achievable, and responsible." In its original form, the stated principle is the basis of action and, as such, should remain the foundation of behavior. The Mediterranean Sea connects all the countries founded on the Mediterranean diet, and for the Mediterranean diet to be sustainable, we must responsibly dispose of our waste and use resources rationally.

That the same is achievable is confirmed by the fact that the Mediterranean diet has been around for thousands of years, and on November 16, 2010, it was included in UNESCO's intangible protected heritage list.

Thus, in line with this year's theme, Drniški pršut d.o.o. is a special partner of Gastroadvent, specializing in the production of cured meat products from the Drniš region. Its production takes place traditionally - the meat is smoked over a hornbeam wood fire, with local oak, dried thorns, and aromatic herbs such as immortelle and spruce. Their main product is prosciutto produced during the Miljevci bura, which matures without artificial nitrite preservatives or additives.

Split-Dalmatia County and the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board are avid supporters of Gastroadvent in Split, thus promoting the Mediterranean diet and local producers, entrepreneurs, and tourism workers.

The Split Tourist Board has worked hard to position the destination, harnessing a natural combination of history, gastronomy, and modernity, all to protect the components of the Mediterranean diet. The City of Split is determined to support projects that benefit its residents and demands guests after authentic experiencess and new technological opportunities.

The Croatian Chamber of Commerce has advocated for years to encourage the representation of domestic products, and since 1997 has implemented the national project "Let's Buy Croatian." The project aims to contribute to increasing the consumption of local products and thus support the economy. This project is of particular importance, emphasized by the director Joze Tomaš, and confirmed by the cooperation with Gastroadvent.

JU RERA S.D., as part of the MD.net project for the needs of establishing innovative food products, has cooperated with primary and secondary schools in Split-Dalmatia County and stakeholders involved in producing or marketing Mediterranean food products and promoting the Mediterranean way of life. The MD.net project focuses on development opportunities and problem-solving related to popularizing the Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet is a part of the Mediterranean identity inscribed in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. The project aims to strengthen research in this area following the UNESCO Convention on Mediterranean Nutrition, raise the quality of nutrition and life in 9 project partner countries, and promote the Mediterranean diet, which is recognized as the gold standard of proper nutrition with far-reaching health benefits.

Apart from the desire to involve as many people as possible and bring them closer to the importance of the Mediterranean diet in everyday life, as well as its impact on their health, the additional goal of the project is to establish a standard in the Med Diet Declaration logo to classify Mediterranean areas. The ultimate goal of awarding the Declaration is to position Split-Dalmatia County as a desirable Mediterranean culinary region.

The delectable culinary table with dishes prepared and served according to epidemiological measures was thanks to SidiBar on the West Coast Riva in Split. 

Guests indulged in canapes, crackers, and snacks with Drniš prosciutto in focus, ranging from tortilla rolls to mushroom caps stuffed with prosciutto, salmon pesto, and parmesan cream, fuži pasta with truffles and prosciutto, gnocchi with prosciutto and shrimp, raw foods, mixed prosciutto skewers, and prosciutto rolls, among many other delicious creations. A unique partner of this year's Gastroadvent in Split is Kairos Winery, and Katich wines were served at today's event. 

The designer of this year's Gastroadvent wreath is artist Tonka Alujević, who depicted the Advent wreath from a lifebuoy as "a maritime object that serves to save a man who, for various reasons, is helpless in the sea and is in mortal danger." 

Split Gastroadvent is held every Advent Sunday at a new location, honoring a different group of journalists with new culinary creations at at each event. 

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