The aroma of freshly baked Khachapuri, warm smiles, and conversations in three languages — that’s how October 28 looked at Aspira University of Applied Sciences, when gastronomy students “traveled” to Georgia without ever leaving the classroom. The occasion? A special gastronomic event with the Embassy of Georgia, where cuisine and culture blended into the most delicious form of diplomacy.
“It is a great honor and pleasure to welcome you today to our University College. We are delighted to have the opportunity to learn about the rich culture and traditions of your beautiful country. Today’s culinary workshop is a perfect example of how food brings people together — through flavors, stories, and shared values. Our students are excited to discover the charms of Georgian cuisine under the guidance of such an experienced and talented chef. Your visit reminds us how important international friendship and cultural exchange are in education. On behalf of Aspira University College, I thank you for coming and wish you a warm welcome,” said Mr. Alen Jerkunica, Dean of Aspira University of Applied Sciences.
This opportunity to collaborate with Aspira University of Applied Sciences is excellent – we have a long gastronomic tradition, our chef Manuel is one of the best in our country, and we are proud to have carried out such a project together with Aspira. In this way, we are building mutual cooperation and offering students various opportunities for advancement and to get to know international cuisine. Split is a fantastic city, and you can definitely expect us to visit again soon. — Georgian Ambassador, Mr. Zaal Gogsadze.
After a brief welcome and introductions, the atmosphere quickly turned into a true culinary spectacle. As the aroma of spices filled the room, students attentively watched Chef Manuel Faundez Baranda demonstrate the preparation of traditional dishes such as Eggplant with Walnuts, Khinkali, Khachapuri, and Felamushi with Caramelized Walnuts.
Our gastronomy students were not just spectators — they were teammates. They cooked, tasted, learned, and laughed alongside the guests from the embassy. “This event is a perfect way to explore Georgian culture and gastronomy while broadening our horizons within the World Cuisines and Eno-Gastronomic Trends courses,” said our fifth-year Gastronomy student, Tania Berišić.
“I had never encountered Georgian cuisine before; both their cuisine and ours share a similar motivation — it’s all about communal and family meals that bring people together. Georgian spices are a bit more intense and aromatic, which reflects their openness to different cultures,” said our second-year Gastronomy student, Jurica Jurašković.
When the last plate was emptied, everyone agreed on one thing — gastronomy is not just about recipes, but about connecting cultures. The meeting with the Embassy of Georgia brought new aromas, flavors, and ideas to Aspira, as well as the beginning of future international cooperation.