Croatian chefs have won two gold medals and one silver at the Global Chefs Challenge semi-finals in Belgrade, securing two places at the 2027 world finals in Shanghai. The results mark Croatia’s first qualification for the international competition’s final stage.
The semi-finals took place from October 10 to 12 in Belgrade, Serbia. Croatia’s culinary teams competed in senior, vegan and young chef categories.
The Croatian Culinary Federation announced the results on October 20. Federation president Erich Glavica discussed the achievement in a new interview with Croatians Saturday Live on October 29.
Two Croatian Teams Head to Shanghai
Amos Novak and his assistant Mladen Zorec won gold in the senior Global Chefs Challenge category.
The pair represent Restaurant Terbotz in Croatia’s Međimurje region. They finished first in the Southern European regional competition and secured a direct place in the world finals.
Croatia’s second gold medal came in the Global Vegan Chefs Challenge.
Patrik Prnjak and Eldin Tubić, from Restaurant Monsapori at Hotel Monumenti in Pula, won their category and also qualified for Shanghai.
The Croatian team earned another medal in the Global Young Chefs Challenge.
Marko Hudin and Claudio Mastrovincenzo took silver and finished third overall in the competition for chefs under 25.
Their achievement completed Croatia’s three-medal performance in Belgrade.
The world finals will take place in Shanghai, China, in late March 2027.
Croatian Culinary Traditions Take Center Stage
In his October 29 interview, Glavica emphasized the importance of presenting Croatia’s traditional cuisine to an international audience.
He believes Croatian chefs should highlight local ingredients and regional recipes rather than simply imitate international fine-dining trends.
Glavica pointed to dishes such as pašticada and mlinci as examples of Croatia’s culinary heritage.
He also welcomed the inclusion of a heritage category at international culinary competitions.
According to Glavica, international success can create opportunities for young chefs and strengthen Croatia’s hospitality industry.
The federation also sees these competitions as a way to promote local food producers and encourage young people to enter the profession.
Glavica said Croatian chefs who gain international experience could eventually lead kitchens in the country’s hotels and restaurants.
The Global Chefs Challenge brings together professional culinary teams from different countries. Worldchefs, the World Association of Chefs’ Societies, organizes the international competition.
Croatia’s two qualifying teams will now prepare for the Shanghai finals.
Their goal is to build on the results in Belgrade while introducing international judges to the ingredients and culinary traditions that define Croatian cuisine.
