What better way to experience a culture than through its food? The owners of Villa Verde accommodation in Trogir (near Split) have expanded their offering to include cooking classes and tasting programs. A deep appreciation of gastronomy has been a long-standing tradition in their family and many of their techniques and recipes today have been borrowed from generations past. Please read on for a description, in their own words, of their philosophy and offering.
Croatian Culinary Treasures
We created Croatian Culinary Treasures specifically for those who want to sample authentic and traditional Croatian food. We prepare dishes that cannot be found in most restaurants because they come from recipes which have been passed down through generations.
Our family comes from diverse parts of Croatia, each with its own style of cooking: Dalmatia (islands, seaside, and inland) in the south; Zagorje and Medimurje near Zagreb in the northwest; Slavonia in the northeast; and the Croatian part of Bosnia and Hercegovina. This mixture of Croatian cooking styles gives us experience and knowledge that even very few Croats have. We are proud to come from a family of great cooks. One of the most famous is our great aunt Lula from Slavonia who was widely known as the best cake maker in the region.
Cooking classes
Croatia has developed its own specific style of cooking which has been influenced by the different nations surrounding it as well as the ones who have invaded it throughout history. This influence is seen in the meals we prepare. We offer a selection of 5 cooking classes which focus on a particular region of the country and its style of cooking. We will discuss the history of the Croatian diet, typical dishes, and how the gastronomy has changed throughout history, so you will be able to learn more about Croatia. In addition to introducing our cooking tradition, we also wish to promote healthy eating. The ingredients we choose are natural, seasonal, locally-produced (when possible), and organic. We also prepare and buy only whole-grain products and use healthy cooking oils (olive and sunflower). Whenever possible, we bake our own bread and pastry.
Guests have a choice of the following options:
1-5 day cooking classes (offered from 1 April – 31 May and 15 September – 31 October)
1-day cooking class (offered from 1 June - 15 September)
Tasting program
For those who simply want to enjoy an authentic, home-cooked Croatian meal, we offer a tasting option. We do the cooking, you do the eating! Because the meal we prepare will depend on what we find (and what is best) at the local market that morning, we cannot present a menu in advance. But if you let us know of any dietary restrictions or preferences, we will prepare the dishes accordingly. We buy the freshest ingredients from local farmers who grow organic products only.
The tasting program is available from 1 April – 31 October.
Each class or tasting program costs 40 EUR per person per day and includes ingredients, cooking, and full meal afterwards. Group size will be limited to 2-6 persons to ensure a cozy and personalized experience. Please direct all inquiries or requests for more information to contact@dubrovnikapartmentsource.com.
