University College Aspira of Split organised a culinary gala featuring exquisite dishes prepared by Croatian and international chefs Hrvoje Zirojević, Braco Sanjin and Mihael Noβ, delicacies by confectioner Marija Gudelj, who specialise in French pastries, as well as wines by top sommeliers Siniša Koceić and Željko Bročilović Carlos, and a banquet prepared by Nikola Eterović. Chefs Ivan Pažanin, Antun Nišević, Dino Galvagno and others also supported the start of the study programme in which they will be involved as mentors. The gala was started by Vice Dean for Education and Quality Ms Ivana Jadrić who presented the Gastronomy study programme, after which programme advisor Mr Denis Galić talked about the importance of such a programme in today’s challenging world of gastronomy. A round table discussion followed, moderated by Mr Ivica Đuzel on the topic: “Importance of higher education for hospitality vocations”. Ms Olivera Shejbal and Ms Sanja Bareza, appearing on the behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, presented their views on the issue, as well as Mr Joško Stella (director of the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board), Mr Denis Galić (founder of the HGE consilio company, lecturer and advisor in Aspira’s Gastronomy programme who holds a Master’s degree in Gastronomy, and who graduated both the Faculty of Economy and Le Cordon Bleu; Mr Galić is also a HACCP lecturer and a Croatian diploma-holding sommelier), Mr Dragan Kostadinović (founder of the SHUTTLE agency, which owns the Taste Dalmatia brand and specializes in gastro-tours, and who is also the president of the Supervisory Board of the Croatian Travel Agency Association and the president of Travel Agency Association of the Croatian Chamber of Economy) and Ms Sandra Čanić (human potential manager at the Radisson Blue Resort Split and representative of the Croatian Employer’s Association). They all perceive gastronomy as an important element for increasing the quality of Croatia’s tourist offer, as well as for extending the tourist season. They all agreed to work on those improvements within the scope of their work and their abilities. Educating the workforce is very much needed and the key to successfully developing tourism are people themselves.
The conclusion of the whole event was that up to now we had access to excellent local ingredients and excellent preconditions. The only thing that was lacking was a workforce with higher education, something that will no longer be a problem!
Aspira – study with your heart!
Admission procedure: 23 September 2016
GASTRONOMY STUDY PROGRAMME MENTORS
The education of the future developers of Croatian gastronomy and oenology follows current global developments and trends. One of the key predefined features is excellence in every study segment, which will result in the education of excellent professionals who will, as soon as they complete their studies, possess knowledge that meets the highest global standards of gastronomy.
Through a modern curriculum the students will actively work, train and learn from many respected chefs, including Andrej Barbieri, Denis Galić, Dino Galvagno, Antun Nišević, Branko Ognjenović, Zdravko Perić, Braco Sanjin, Zdravko Tomšić, Denis Zembo and Hrvoje Zirojević, as well as from Michelin-star chefs Vincenzo Guarino and Stefano Ciotti. The students will be given the opportunity to participate in their seminars and workshops, as well as to apply what they have learned in modern kitchens. Practical work will present them with a unique experience of learning about Croatian and international gastronomy and oenology.
They will also study under award-winning sommeliers like Siniša Koceić and Željko Bročilović Carlos, bartender Jure Vojković, barista Tomislav Mrdež and Tonči Drlje, who will get them acquainted with modern serving trends. International gastronomy experts will also participate as guest lecturers, like Darra Goldstein, founder and editor of the US-based magazine Gastronomica, and many others.