{"id":40816,"date":"2026-05-27T15:24:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T13:24:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aspira.hr\/?p=40816"},"modified":"2026-05-27T15:24:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T13:24:34","slug":"aspira-student-erik-side-by-side-with-hrvoje-zirojevic-a-young-talent-conquering-the-croatian-gastronomy-scene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aspira.hr\/en\/aspira-student-erik-side-by-side-with-hrvoje-zirojevic-a-young-talent-conquering-the-croatian-gastronomy-scene\/","title":{"rendered":"Aspira student Erik side by side with Hrvoje Zirojevi\u0107: A young talent conquering the Croatian gastronomy scene"},"content":{"rendered":"

Aspira student of the Gastronomy study program<\/strong> <\/a>in Zagreb, young chef Erik Ivkovi\u0107<\/strong>, has made a major step forward in his career by joining the team of renowned Croatian chef Hrvoje Zirojevi\u0107<\/span><\/span> <\/strong>at the restaurant Vira<\/a>, located within the Aminess Laurel Khalani Hotel.<\/p>\n

For every young chef, this is an opportunity not to be missed \u2013 to learn, create, and cook side by side with one of the most recognizable names in Croatian gastronomy.<\/p>\n

As Head Chef, Ivkovi\u0107 will, under the mentorship of Hrvoje Zirojevi\u0107, take part in the further development of the gourmet concept, with the goal of raising fine dining standards in Makarska.<\/p>\n

Erik Ivkovi\u0107 brings to Vira extensive international experience gained in some of the world\u2019s best restaurants. His professional journey includes work in kitchens that hold some of the highest global culinary recognitions, including the Slovenian restaurant Hi\u0161a Franko, awarded three Michelin stars, as well as Disfrutar in Barcelona, also a three-Michelin-star restaurant currently ranked as the best restaurant in the world. Ivkovi\u0107 further refined his culinary skills at Horv\u00e1th in Berlin, holder of two Michelin stars, and the Parisian restaurant Le Chiberta avec Guy Savoy, awarded one Michelin star. In addition to the European gastronomic scene, he also gained experience in Asia while working at the iconic Gaggan in Bangkok. He joins the position of Head Chef at VIRA from the restaurant Half 8.<\/p>\n

The philosophy of the restaurant VIRA by Hrvoje Zirojevi\u0107 is based on luxurious simplicity \u2013 a concept that celebrates high-quality ingredients and the emotional experience of food through a fusion of tradition and contemporary techniques.<\/p>\n

At Aspira, special emphasis is placed on connecting students with the real sector and professional kitchens, as these kinds of experiences allow students to develop more quickly and transition more easily into the world of gastronomy. Erik\u2019s success is yet another example of how talented students can already, during their studies, establish collaborations that significantly shape their careers.<\/p>\n

For Erik, this is only the beginning, but also a strong confirmation that hard work, knowledge, and a passion for gastronomy are truly recognized.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Aspira student of the Gastronomy study program in Zagreb, young chef Erik Ivkovi\u0107, has made a major step forward in his career by joining the team of renowned Croatian chef Hrvoje Zirojevi\u0107 at the restaurant Vira, located within the Aminess Laurel Khalani Hotel. For every young chef, this is an opportunity not to be missed…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40817,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nAspira student Erik side by side with Hrvoje Zirojevi\u0107: A young talent conquering the Croatian gastronomy scene | ASPIRA University College<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aspira.hr\/en\/aspira-student-erik-side-by-side-with-hrvoje-zirojevic-a-young-talent-conquering-the-croatian-gastronomy-scene\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Aspira student Erik side by side with Hrvoje Zirojevi\u0107: A young talent conquering the Croatian gastronomy scene | ASPIRA University College\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Aspira student of the Gastronomy study program in Zagreb, young chef Erik Ivkovi\u0107, has made a major step forward in his career by joining the team of renowned Croatian chef Hrvoje Zirojevi\u0107 at the restaurant Vira, located within the Aminess Laurel Khalani Hotel. 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