Here in Croatia we dared to do something new again! We organised a National Final of the Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Competition, successfully launching it in Split as part of the Gast Gastronomy Fair in the Spaladium Arena.

We arranged it in cooperation with the Tourism and Catering School from Split, the Centre of Competence in Hospitality, their team of teachers, professional chefs and students, all led by their Director Mr Ivo Bilić.

For this competition, we welcomed six young chefs whose hotels or restaurants are Chaîne member establishments:
- Denis Major from the Cap Aureo Restaurant in the Grand Park Hotel Rovinj
- Roko Nikolić from Locanda Blu Restaurant in Rovinj
- Amos Novak from Međimurje’s Terbotz Restaurant
- Luka Pavlović from Hotel Osijek
plus two chefs from Split’s Makarun Restaurant
- Roko Šerkinić
- Bože Vugdelija

The young chefs had to cook three courses: appetizers, main course and dessert, using four secret foods unknown to them until the start of the competition. In the mystery "Black Box" we offered mackerel, veal liver, steak and pear. All other foods, various vegetables, spices, oils, wines, etc., were placed on completely new cooking units professionally equipped with everything they might need.

According to the rules, one of the judges was among the young chefs. He assessed their cooking style and techniques, hygiene and their organisational skills during and after cooking each course. This judge was future member Braco Sanjin, co-owner of Griblja Restaurant from Sukošan.

Contestants had three hours to cook and serve meals plus a half hour to write recipes after discovering what foods they were cooking with.

The second part of the jury, according to the rules, was completely separated from the competitors. It consisted of famous Chef Hrvoje Zirojević from Dvor Restaurant in Split, Ivan Romac, a teacher at the Split Tourism and Catering School, and Conseiller Gastronomique Radovan Marčić, a long-time member of the MasterChef Croatia jury.

Courses were served - one plate for each jury member - at 15-minute intervals. The trio of judges evaluated presentation of dishes, creativity, complexity and compatibility of the menus and, of course, the flavours.

To make everything look highly professional, we equipped our young contestants with chef's uniforms, hats and aprons, just as they are used to wearing in the places where they cook.

Once all dishes were tasted, we announced the winners of our first National Final of the Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Competition.

In Third Place was Roko Nikolić who received a trophy and a set of professional knives as a gift.

The Runner-up was Amos Novak. Together with a trophy he received a cheque for 750 kuna and a complimentary year of Chaîne membership.

In First Place was Luka Pavlović from Osijek with a very creditable 104.1 points scored. In addition to the trophy and a free annual Chaîne membership, he received a cash prize of 2,000 kuna and what we believe is the most valuable incentive for our young chefs - participation in the International Final being held in Mexico City in October.

We sincerely congratulate all the participants and hope they will enjoy our gifts and sponsorship packages!

We organised the competition with our valued partners - the Split Tourism and Catering School and the GAST fair, under sponsorship of PIK Vrbovec. All are due our grateful thanks.

Vive la Chaîne!

Radovan Marčić
Conseiller Gastronomique