For the second year in a row, Mediterranean Women Chefs reveals the inspiring stories of women in leadership positions who are influencing social change

Four different women, four different stories, but they all share a passion for work.

That is the message of the Conference Redefining Success powered by Fortenova group which took place yesterday, in the organization of the initiative Mediterranean Women Chefs, held in Zonar Hotel in Zagreb. This was followed by a charity dinner to raise funds for a scholarship for a young talented future chef or sommelier. The conference brought together women and men of various generations, from young students of gastronomy and tourism management to women who work in large corporations, family businesses or the media. Gordana Fabris she was the first to present her job as Executive Director of Human Resources of the Fortenova Group.

"As a company that has gone through a true metamorphosis, it is completely natural that we are part of the Redefining Success project. Not only have we, in just six years, from a former company in bankruptcy, built the Forten group as one of the most desirable employers in the country that develops its talents and builds a positive employee experience, but in our environment we are leading in the approach to sustainability. One of our important ESG goals is diversity of representation at all levels, while achieving gender equality. Therefore, in 2023, we adopted the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy for the entire Group, and in accordance with this, we internally implement a whole series of activities that strengthen these topics, and we use every opportunity to support these positive practices at events such as this conference." She particularly referred to the changes that come with the new generations: they know what they are looking for from an employer and they want greater flexibility in working conditions.

The main speaker Maša Salopek, the best pastry chef in the world in 2021 according to The Best Chef, told her life journey from a graduate professor of literature and librarianship to the best pastry chef in the world.

"The most important moment was the one when I realized that in gastronomy - my luck. I decided on confectionery because I did not see myself in the role of a chef who has to tranche 30 kg of meat", Maša made the audience laugh. Paradoxically, she does not eat sweets, but she believes that precisely because of this, her senses are more objective and her palette of tastes is wider. "Even today, when I look at that world medal, I think that anything is possible, if you really want to", says Maša and modestly adds that many other geniuses better than her deserve the award.

Mira Šemić, legendary sommelier, wine academician and director of the gastronomic guide Gault&Millau Slovenia and Gault&Millau Serbia, delighted the audience with a direct recounting of her rich life.

"For me, work and private life were always intertwined and gave me the joy of living", said the dynamic Mira, and immediately after the conference in Zagreb, she left for Belgrade, to the wine festival. At the end, the director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board introduced herself. Ivana Alilović, which, through tireless work and dedication, in just a few years turned its region into a desirable tourist destination, with a clear vision of sustainable development. Ivana showed that even in the public sector there is room for those who want to change something for the better. When she comes home exhausted from work, she first of all asks for silence, so that only after that she can devote herself to her three sons and her husband.

The day of the donor conference and dinner Redefining Success powered by Forten's group was not chosen by chance: November 15, the European Union celebrates Equal Pay Day. Although the agreement on professional equality between women and men was signed back in 1957 in Rome, statistics show that in EU countries women earn 13 percent less than men for equal jobs and from now until the New Year they work for free. That is why the conference is dedicated to gender equality, and its main goal is to present successful women, that is, to show how women in leading positions can influence changes in their work environment and in society in general.

With their inspiring stories, the four speakers certainly encouraged others, especially young women, to believe in themselves and their abilities, and to fight for their dreams. The best evidence of this was their dynamic conversations during the conference break, along with salmon snacks, a selection of excellent President's cheeses, Vina Belje and Agrolaguna sparkling wine, and natural mineral waters of Jana and Jamnica.

At the donor dinner held after the conference, funds were collected for the professional training of a young future chef or sommelier in a leading restaurant abroad or in Croatia. The first winner was awarded a scholarship Mediterranean Women Chefs in the value of 5000 euros, which includes the costs of travel, accommodation and pocket money. Viktorija Bašić, an excellent student in the final year of private education Wallner High School, in Split, in the spring he will intern for a month in Provence, with chef Michel Basaldella, an instructor at the prestigious Alain Ducasse school of gastronomy. Viktorija also received a gift certificate for shopping at Konzum, which also provided part of the groceries for dinner, and it was handed to her by Gordana Fabris.

An exclusive five-course dinner was prepared by the Japanese-French chef Ippei Uemura, from the Tabi restaurant in Marseille - 3 Gault&Millau toques and a Michelin recommendation - and award-winning pastry chef Maša Salopek, Head pastry chef of the Cap Aureo restaurant, Grand Park Hotel, Rovinj - 4 Gault&Millau Croatia toques .

Chef Uemura especially praised the quality of fresh, top-quality food and wine from local producers. Thus, the famous ikeyime sea bass of Marfish went well with the Puhelek sisters' Sauvignon, red tuna from Pelagos with Rossella from Poletti, and veal fillet from the Meat with Agrolaguna's Castello Festigia. Along with marinated sea bream with spring garden, guests enjoyed Graševina Premium from the Belje winery, while their Ultra premium Goldberg White rounded off the gastronomic experience with the Jesenja mantra chocolate and pear dessert.

The dinner was enriched by Petr Alebić's Turpole truffles and exotic foods from Selecta Adria. The guests at the dinner were delighted with raffle prizes: from top wines and trips to the winery, fine cosmetics, gift vouchers for treatments in beauty salons, overnight stays in Zonar and dinner in a top restaurant. But the greatest reward for all the participants of the conference and dinner is the good feeling that in socializing and exchanging experiences, they enabled one girl - the future boss - to start the journey of realizing her dreams.

Photo by Damira Klajžić and Goran Jakuš for MWC