Rovinj, April 13, 2025 – The fourth edition of the Weekend Food Festival once again proved to be an exceptional host of top-tier culinary events. Among the highlights were the students of Aspira University who drew special attention from visitors with their talent and creativity. As part of the festival’s popular Show Cooking segment – eagerly anticipated by many – Aspira’s students from both Split and Zagreb showcased an innovative dish titled Fuži 2.0 – Elegance on a Plate.
Under the mentorship of Chef Ivan Temšić, a former Aspira student, winner of MasterChef 2021, and current head chef of the first Michelin-starred restaurant in Zagreb, the dish captivated attendees from the first bite with its unique combination of carefully selected local ingredients. The fuži, served with Hollandaise sauce, asparagus, black truffle, wild garlic oil, and black olive ash, demonstrated how tradition can take on a modern and sophisticated form. The tasting line was long, and visitor reactions overwhelmingly positive.
“We’re proud of our students who demonstrated exceptional creativity and professionalism at one of the region’s most important gastronomic events. WFF not only connects us with top chefs and industry experts, but also gives our students the opportunity to present themselves as future leaders,” said Alen Jerkunica, Dean of Aspira University, highlighting the importance of excellence in education for this increasingly in-demand profession that is helping position Croatia and its professionals prominently on the global culinary stage.
Aspira is increasingly recognized as an internationally relevant educational institution, attracting students from across the country and around the world, and is known as the source of top culinary talent—further affirming its quality and importance. Participating in this year’s WFF were Lovre Bravarić and Alex Orlić from Pula, Nives Borić and Borna Šalov from Split, as well as Tania Berišić from Opatija and Mate Bartulović from Gradac.
“Studying at Aspira allows me to participate in events like the WFF, meet new people, and cook alongside them. I had an unforgettable opportunity to cook with MasterChef winner Ivan Temšić, who is now the head chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant,” said student Nives Borić, while her colleague Borna Šalov added: “It was a great honor to cook with Chef Temšić, but also a big challenge given the scale of an event like the WFF. I think we handled it really well, thanks to the knowledge we’ve gained at Aspira. The feedback on our dish was fantastic, and we’re grateful to Ivan Temšić and Aspira for making this possible.”
Tania Berišić commented: “Ivan is not just an exceptional chef, he’s an inspiration to us students – he’s patient, motivating, and always willing to share his knowledge and experience. Working with him helped me see firsthand what a professional approach looks like, and how important it is to stay authentic.” She added that “Aspira’s education is dynamic and practically oriented – we have lots of workshops, field classes, and real-world opportunities to learn from the best in the industry. The community at Aspira is supportive, and festivals like this one show just how much effort is put into connecting students with the professional world.”
“It’s a great honor to be part of the Weekend Food Festival once again, this time as a mentor to my talented colleagues from Aspira University, where I myself gained the foundational skills and knowledge that shaped me as a chef,” said Chef Temšić, adding: “Studying at Aspira was a turning point for me—not just because of the high-quality curriculum and expert lecturers, but also because of the support I received as a young, ambitious cook. And I see that today’s students are just as ambitious, which truly excites me.”
He continued: “The WFF is incredibly important to the entire culinary community because it brings together top professionals, connects experience with youth, and offers opportunities for knowledge sharing, inspiration, and creating new possibilities. Being a part of this event—side by side with the future chefs of tomorrow—is deeply fulfilling. It’s a reminder of how important it is to invest in education and mentorship in gastronomy.”
The Weekend Food Festival provided the perfect platform for promoting Aspira’s Gastronomy study programs. In addition to showcasing their culinary skills, students and staff at Aspira’s promotional booth informed visitors about various academic opportunities. This participation further highlights the importance of hands-on education and field-based activities that Aspira continuously integrates into its programs.
Aspira continues to build its reputation as a leading institution for gastronomy, hospitality, and tourism education in Croatia, with a strong focus on innovative learning approaches and close collaboration with the industry. With this foundation, the future success of its students is all but assured.
