A combination of sailing and gastronomy - the third edition of Prosecco DOC MAXI ON Cooking Star was held

Saturday was marked by an unforgettable experience at sea and in the kitchen, and Arena Hospitality Group and this year she was a partner in holding a spectacular event - Prosecco DOC MAXI ON Cooking Star 2024 which was held in Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, A Radisson Collection Hotel.

The fleet of Maxi sailboats has gathered award-winning chefs whose culinary creations reflect as much grace and precision as the sailboats themselves. After the exciting sailing competitions, culinary masters took the stage in the kitchen of the Grand Hotel Brioni and created magic on the plate.

The chefs have already received world-renowned awards Michelin stars and Gault&Millau awards, which guaranteed a top-notch experience. Among them were:

• Nikola Laera from the restaurant "Burjé 1968" in the Hotel Arkadia - Corvara (BZ)
• Felice Lo Basso from Felix Lo Basso Home & Restaurant – Milan
• Alessandro Gavagna from Al Cacciatore – La Subida – Cormons (GO)
• Salvatore Bianco from Il Comadante – Hotel Romeo in Naples
• Alessandro Rossi from Gabbiano 3.0 – Marina di Grosseto (GR)
• Fabio Groppi from FG Fabio Groppi Tailor Made Food in Verona
• Floriana Ružić from San Rocco from Brtonigla, Croatia

The chef's skill was evaluated by an expert jury led by the chef David Skok. Along with him, the jury included well-known names from the Italian sailing and gastronomic scene, such as Claudio Demartis, longtime manager of Barcola and co-founder of Olimpic Sails i Franco Favaretto, Chef of the Venetian Baccalà Divino and longtime coordinator of the sailing and gastronomic event San Pellegrino Cup in Venice. The expert jury included Stefano Vegliani, sports journalist and author of three books on sailing, as well as Fausto Arrighi, Michelin inspector and gastronomist who has visited around nine thousand restaurants in the world about Croatian gastronomy!

There was no shortage of famous faces who enjoyed this spectacle. Federico Quaranta, manager of the most famous wine program Decanter, journalists and media from Linkiesta Gastronomica, Luxury prêt-à-porter, Rumors Lifestyle, Slovenian Drive&Style, and local Pula media, were just some of the many guests who attended this unforgettable event, as well as several influencers.

Maxi On Cooking Star 2024 it was not only a competition but also a real treat for all the senses. All the ingredients were local, and seven outstanding fish and vegetable dishes were prepared. With a perfect combination of taste, technical skill and creativity, a special prize was awarded for the title of winner of the culinary show.

According to the votes of the expert jury chaired by the popular Pula chef David Skoko, which also included the Executive Chef of the Grand Hotel Brioni, Luka Jukić, he won Salvatore bianco from Naples, while the honorary jury chose the young man's dish Alessandro Rossi.

Rally Slonim, CEO of Arena Hospitality Group, on behalf of the jury of the VIP audience, awarded the main prize Alessandro Rossi from restaurant Gabbiano 3.0 - Marina di Grosseto - stay at Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, A Radisson Collection Hotel. In addition, the president of the Arena Hospitality Group thanked everyone who participated in the event, which has been held for the third year in a row at the Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, and emphasized that special events like this, which combine luxury sports and top gastronomy, are something that stands out and makes our climate is increasingly recognizable for these unique, selective forms of tourism.   

In addition to sports and gastronomy, the entire sailing event transcends borders and represents the beautiful landscape of Istria. From picturesque Rovinj to historic Pula, participants and spectators are more and more enchanted by the beauty of the northern Adriatic coast every year, and Prosecco DOC MAXI ON Cooking Star is an event that remains unforgettable, both for participants and the audience.