Green Valley Association, an organization that has carried out numerous projects primarily in the field of environmental protection, as well as projects focused on healthy food and youth entrepreneurship, has come up with the idea of organizing an event of significant economic importance for the city of Novi Sad, in collaboration with partner organizations. Noticing that nearly all neighboring countries hold large-scale competitions that bring together chefs, kitchen managers, young entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry, as well as various guests and spectators, we realized that Novi Sad, a city with great potential, is ideal for hosting such a competition.

Novi Sad, in every aspect, deserves such an event. Its geographical position, multi-ethnicity, festival tradition, and one of the best hospitality schools are all prerequisites for a serious competition. This vision was also recognized by the management of the Novi Sad Fair, which organized a competition for secondary and higher education institutions, laying the groundwork that our senior competition project has fully rounded off. The vast international experience of our senior competitors, along with culinary associations at both domestic and international levels, created conditions for aspiring hospitality professionals to get acquainted with the advantages and challenges of the industry. Our senior competitors had the opportunity to exchange experiences with colleagues, promote their hospitality businesses, and form new connections, all with the aim of increasing economic activity in Novi Sad. Additionally, established hospitality professionals had the chance to meet some of the most talented young chefs from hospitality schools.

The event took place at the Novi Sad Fair, which provided excellent infrastructure and space. The competition was held over an area of 100 square meters, where kitchen installations with power and water supply were set up. Initially, five kitchens were planned, with junior competitors from secondary schools and hospitality academies competing in the morning at 11 a.m., followed by senior competitors from 3 p.m. until the fair’s closure at 7 p.m. A presentation kitchen was also set up, where lectures and demonstrations from culinary experts were held throughout the event.

The partners involved in the event included the Serbian Culinary Association, Serbian Chefs Association, and the HoReCa Association from Kragujevac, ensuring that the festival was held under the WACS (World Association of Chefs Societies) license, a crucial element since the competition was international from its inception. The judging panel consisted of Dejan Stanković, president of the Serbian Chefs Association; Jordan Nastanović, a pastry professor at the High Hotelier School and president of the judging team of the Serbian Culinary Federation; and Miloš Jovanović, chairman of the board of the Serbian Chefs Association. The competition coordinator was Vujadin Vujadinović, president of the HoReCa Association Kragujevac. Lecturers at the Gastro Cup Serbia 2017 included Duško Miladinov, who spoke on the topic “How to Become a Chef: Challenges and Trials,” and Stambol Geštamov, president of the Serbian Culinary Association, who discussed GMOs and their harmful effects.

Guests from Bulgaria and Romania also presented their national culinary specialties during the three-day festival. The competition schedule was filled with three initial categories: T1 – Pasta Dishes, R2 – River Fish Dishes, and M3 – Modern Beef Fillet Dish, with two additional categories added: ST1 – Fall-themed Cake Displays and K1 – Free-form Carving. Competitors from Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and Romania participated, with their mentors further enhancing the competition’s prestige.

Under WACS regulations, each country’s mentor was allowed to actively participate in judging and monitoring the competition to ensure fairness. Notable figures such as Erih Glavica from Croatia, Stambol Geštamov from Serbia, and Miljenko Štajnc from Liechtenstein, who came to support the first Gastro Cup Serbia, significantly contributed to the event’s success. The competition adhered strictly to international standards, and while the number of participants was limited by the fair’s working hours, the quality of the competition was high, and all participants left with positive experiences.

Goals Achieved in 2017

The festival was designed to encompass a wide range of interests. Our primary goal of bringing together numerous established hospitality entrepreneurs from Serbia and the region was successfully achieved. As the event took place within the tourism fair in Novi Sad from October 5th to 7th, hospitality professionals had an excellent opportunity to promote their businesses and specific offerings to potential visitors and tourists. Many hospitality, food production, distribution, and kitchen equipment companies were able to showcase their products, with approximately 40,000 visitors attending the tourism fair.

We are particularly pleased that many established professionals and renowned chefs got to meet young talents competing in the junior section, sparking the idea for future partnerships. Employing young talent should be a priority in Serbia, and events like these provide a great platform for networking between professionals and emerging talents. The lectures held during the competition were beneficial for both the chefs and young competitors, facilitating discussions on various culinary topics.

The Gastro Cup Serbia has become networked with similar festivals across Europe, thanks to the participating competitors. We are confident that the number of participants will increase yearly and that this competition will become an integral part of the LORIST fair in Novi Sad. The most important outcome is the interest shown by many culinary organizations and businesses, both domestic and international, in participating in the Gastro Cup Serbia. We aim to make the Gastro Cup Serbia a permanent fixture on Novi Sad’s festival calendar and ensure it becomes a traditional event, positioning Novi Sad as a hub for international culinary competitions.

Tourism is one of the most promising sectors in Novi Sad, with visits to the city’s landmarks often culminating in a meal featuring local specialties, good food, and drinks. Culinary offerings are an essential part of the city’s tourist attractions, and events like this festival are the perfect way to promote them. We hope that more local businesses from Novi Sad will participate in the competition next year.

Plans for expanding the Gastro Cup Serbia are already underway, and we sincerely hope that we will be able to realize them to the satisfaction of both domestic and international visitors.