The Year 2025 at the Educational Gastronomic Centre of Istria
The year 2025 at the Educational Gastronomic Centre of Istria (EGCI) was marked by intensive work, knowledge exchange and meaningful professional encounters. Through the spring and autumn cycles of workshops, EGCI once again confirmed its role as a place where gastronomy is learned, questioned and directly connected to everyday practice.
Spring Cycle: Local, Sustainable and Practical
During the spring cycle, 12 workshops were held, bringing together 132 participants from 35 hospitality establishments. The programme focused strongly on local ingredients, sustainable approaches and the development of authentic menus.
Workshops were led by Marijo Čepek, Bernard Korak, Goran Kočiš, Maša Salopek, David Skoko, Marko Ristić, Robert Perić, Bruno Vokal and Blanka Sinčić Pulić. Topics ranged from meat and fish preparation to pastry, contemporary culinary techniques and kitchen and restaurant management, with a clear emphasis on practical application in daily operations.
Autumn Cycle: Techniques, Trends and New Interpretations of Tradition
The autumn cycle brought an additional 12 workshops and 114 participants from 37 hospitality establishments, primarily from Istria, but also from other parts of Croatia and the wider region. The focus was placed on contemporary gastronomic trends, new interpretations of tradition and menu development aligned with current market needs.
Mentors included Marijo Čepek, Hrvoje Zirojević, Robert Perić, David Skoko, Domagoj Trusić, Karin Rupena Perdec, Emil Perdec, Matija Bogdan, Marko Palfi, Jeffrey Vella and Stiven Vunić. Workshops maintained a strong hands-on character while encouraging professional dialogue and the exchange of experience.
EGCI as a Place of Continuity and Trust
What truly defined 2025 was not only the number of workshops or participants, but the continuity of trust built between EGCI, mentors and hospitality professionals. The didactic kitchen on Gortanov brijeg once again served as a space for learning, discussion and connection among people sharing the same professional values.
As part of AZRRI, the Educational Gastronomic Centre of Istria continues to fulfil its core mission of linking agriculture, indigenous ingredients and hospitality, creating added value for the local community and strengthening Istria’s gastronomic identity.
Looking Ahead to 2026: Celebrating 10 Years of EGCI Workshops
The year ahead carries special significance. In 2026, EGCI will celebrate 10 years of workshops. We would like to shape this programme together with you.
We invite all interested stakeholders to complete a short and anonymous survey and share their ideas, needs and suggestions. Your input will help us design a programme that remains relevant, practical and closely connected to real professional practice.
The survey is available here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2dlvHqjblMrCZehdcNuErj1LncrrAuFhkn74hkEpz2XIKkw/viewform?usp=header
