Interviews

Nika Babić is the owner, chef, and main creative force behind the Ljubljana-based vegan restaurant Veganika. The young and passionate woman hailing from the Bela krajina region has adopted Ljubljana’s culture and spirit over the years, and popularises vegan food through creative, playful cuisine, combining inspirations from near and far in her eclectic menus, which she imbues with her own style, a splash of interesting spices, and the obligatory pinch of humour. In conversation with Nika, we touched on many topics - from her beginnings to her hopes and goals for the future, and we of course spoke extensively about the specifics, challenges, and goals of preparing a plant-based diet that can transcend and overcome taboos, ultimately appealing to all those who love to eat well.

We recently visited the chef and co-owner of Restaurant Strelec, Igor Jagodic, in the Archer’s tower at Ljubljana Castle. We talked with the multi-award-winning chef, dedicated mentor of the up-and-coming generation, and obsessive perfectionist culinary creator about, among other things, his approaches to gastronomy, the importance of various virtues in the culinary profession, the prestigious stars, and his plans for the future.

We had a chat with Luka Košir, one of the most talented, creative and intriguing Slovenian chefs among the younger generation. Read on to find out what the head chef of Grič from Šentjošt nad Horjulom told us about the importance of projects such as the European Region of Gastronomy 2021 and the European Food Summit, about chef collaborations, the prospects of Slovenian cuisine, his plans for the future and many other interesting details.

We chatted with the pastry chef Karim Merdjadi, who is well-known to foodies from his TV appearances and the Odprta Kuhna (Open Kitchen) food market, about must-have kitchen equipment and tricks for all baking enthusiasts, as well as autumn ingredients and food for the soul.

We asked chef Luka Jezeršek, who comes from one of Slovenia’s most famous chef families and is in charge of culinary experiences at Dvor Jezeršek, Bled Castle Restaurant, Gostilna na Gradu and Union Pub, in addition to being a popular judge on MasterChef, about his favourite autumn ingredients, tricks on how to involve younger members of the family in kitchen activities, cooking experiments and much more. Read on and find out how he spends his time in these unusual days.

On a hot summer’s evening, we cooled down at the Vrt Beli volk cocktail bar in the company of Dominik Gobec, a renowned Slovenian mixologist, expert in non-alcoholic pairings in upscale restaurants, co-creator of the Brina cocktail and mixology festival, and, more recently, partner and manager of the aforementioned Vrt Beli Volk cocktail bar. He explained what it means to be a mixologist, the path he himself took to get there and what we can expect from him and the mixology scene in the future.

At the Ciril-Metodov Trg square, in the facilities of the former watchmaker’s, you will find the Klobasarna (sausage shop) – an interesting shop, which unites the two great trends: resorting to the local, domestic, traditional food and the every more popular concept of street food. We have spoken Stanislav Logar, the owner of the Klobasarna, about uniting the tradition and modern concepts.

The Ljubljana Coffee Festival, which will take place at the Ljubljana City Museum (Mestni muzej Ljubljana) on 5 and 6 October, will be the second consecutive event presenting the quality coffee offer in our city. The Ljubljana Coffee Festival, which will take place at the Ljubljana City Museum (Mestni muzej Ljubljana) on 5 and 6 October, will be the second consecutive event presenting the quality coffee offer in our city.