University College Aspira opened the doors of its state-of-the-art educational kitchen workshop. Renowned Croatian chefs and lecturers at Aspira Hrvoje Zirojević and Antun Nišević attended the opening ceremony. Meri Maretić, representative of the Split-Dalmatia County, Goran Kovačević, deputy mayor of the City of Split, Joško Stella, director of the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board, and Alijana Vukšić, director of the Tourist Board of the City of Split, supported the opening, as well as numerous other associates, partners and students.
Apart from the Gastronomy international study programme, University College Aspira also developed numerous educational programmes and workshops covering the fields of gastronomy, sommelier education, bartender education, modern serving techniques, business education for improving business activities, as well as short, specialised trainings such as programmes for cooks specializing in Dalmatian, Mediterranean, Croatian national and exotic cuisines (Thai, Chinese, Japanese), and numerous other programmes.
The kitchen workshop is equipped in a very modern way, following the highest international standards, and is intended for both Gastronomy students and for those participating in the aforementioned programmes.
Milivoj Jerkunica, the founder of University College Aspira, said ‘This is a strategic move and a great day for University College Aspira. As we are aware of the shortcomings on the market for education in gastronomy, we have provided numerous specialisation programmes. Now, we have also provided a place to hold those programmes.’ With all of this, it is possible to significantly elevate the quality of those employed in gastronomy, which in turn elevates the quality of the entire tourism offer in Croatia.
Alen Jerkunica, Chairman of the Board of Aspira, pointed out the significance of opening the kitchen workshop for the students and participants of specialisation programmes. Not only will they be able to learn from the best professionals, they will also have the opportunity to work and cook at their own units, while following their mentors’ instructions via a screen. He also added how proud he was of the students, who really impressed with their readiness and who successfully answered this challenge, although being enrolled in the first year of their studies. ‘The Gastronomy study programme is here for every gastronomy enthusiast. Its goal is to present all required knowledge in one place and to turn people into first-rate managers in the field of gastronomy.’
By way of gastro education in the new workshop, Aspira wishes to breathe life into traditional recipes, with the use of locally grown ingredients. In this way, Aspira wishes to promote national gastronomy as one of the core attractions of Croatian tourism.