Local journalists, Split restaurants, and representatives of the city joined forces to officially light the first Advent candle for Gastroadvent.
On a crisp Sunday afternoon, Prokurative transformed into Olive Square to officially kick off the beginning of the 8th Gastroadvent.
The first Advent candle was lit by dozens of local journalists, the mayor of Split, the Split Tourist Board, Gastroadvent organizers and Split restaurants Uje and Mazzgoon to begin the highly anticipated Advent event.
Split mayor Andro Krstulović Opara with Mazzgoon's Sara Alfirević-Vrsalović
"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.
Martinić then introduced the theme of this year’s event which brings together the flavors of olives and chamomile. Although medicinal herbs and olive oil is an unusual mix, it is, in fact, a complete combination of nutrition and gastronomy. While chamomile has proven health benefits, olives and olive oil are a staple in household kitchens.
“In Croatia, chamomile is number one for nutrition, and chamomile makes up 90% of purchased medicinal herbs in the country. Split is the first town in Croatia to work with phytonutrients, and only here can you find dishes made with chamomile,” continued the Gastroadvent organizer.
This Sunday’s Gastroadvent was hosted by the members of Gastro Get, a food event organized by the Split restaurants in the “Get” including Uje, Mazzgoon, O’zlata, Galerija, Rodrigo, and Bajamont. During the month of December, the “Gastro Get” restaurants will prepare exclusive menus based on weekly themes discovering the cuisines of the islands, Istria, Slavonia, and traditional Croatian Christmas fare. Stay tuned for the announcement of their first event!
Presenting at Gastroadvent on Sunday were Gastro Get members Uje and Mazzgoon.
"It is a pleasure for us to have this event for the eighth year, in front of the candle of hope that we will burn together with our journalists. The project gets better year after year and brings together those who are accountable for Split becoming the tourism champion, because with us are the tourism workers, our faithful caterers and our journalists who have helped to get out all of the information about the city of Split - and most importantly to our tourists,” said the director of the Split Tourist Board, Alijana Vukšić.
This year’s event also has a strict focus on the environment, and all waste generated during the event will be correctly sorted and recycled.
Prokurative was altered into Olive Square thanks to Igor Belamarić from Landscape Architect Park and Plantation, Jadro, Čistoća Split, Parks and Plants, the City of Split, the Split Tourist Board and Split restaurants Uje and Mazzgoon.
Gastroadvent is held each Sunday during Advent at 12:00 in a new location. You can find the schedule here.
Excerpts taken from Dalmacija Danas and Dalmatinski Portal
All photos by Tash Peričić
