Gastro
Dumplings - The Sweet Treat That Won Over Americans in the City on the Vrbas
The classic plum dumpling is familiar to almost everyone and remains a favorite dessert for many. In recent years, however, an entire world of new flavors has transformed this beloved spherical treat into something far more diverse.
Ivan Pažanin for HEDONIST: Food Has Become Sexy!
Famous Dalmatian chef and star of the cooking show “Three, Two, One – Cook!” Ivan Pažanin is widely regarded as a true hedonist - something he recently proved once again by combining his favorite passions: great food, good wine, and relaxing at his parents’ summer house near his hometown of Split.
His Majesty: The Kotlić
The recipe seems almost absurdly simple: for one large cauldron serving eight to ten people, four kilograms of fish, six and a half liters of water, a spoonful of salt, three deciliters of homemade tomato sauce, and four onions. Once the cauldron begins to boil, add three spoons of sweet paprika and, if desired, some hot paprika as well. Let it boil for half an hour. Adjust the seasoning if needed, and the feast may begin.
Danube Čardas: Fried Terpan Fish, Homemade Noodles and an “Eight-Two” Spritzer
A warm June night on the terrace of the “Stari mlin” in Dalj. Tamburitza musicians tune their instruments while, barely twenty meters away, the mighty Danube rolls past in the dark. Beneath the roof of the summer kitchen, five fiery cauldrons boil at once. I circle the head chef and, over a glass of rakija, steal a few culinary secrets: this much onion for this much fish in this much water, this much paprika and this much salt at precisely the right moment - never earlier.
HEDONIST Recipe: Panna Cotta That Smells Like Summer
The hot summer days ahead are perfect for the finest, creamiest bites, and the timeless Italian classic seems to have a thousand different faces. Well chilled, delicate, aromatic, and incredibly rich, panna cotta is everything we need this season.
Scents That Changed History
Today, spices are simply something that sits on the shelf between salt and sugar. A small detail we add almost automatically, without much thought. Yet for centuries, these tiny powders, seeds, and bark fragments were among the most valuable things in the world. Expeditions were launched because of them, new continents were discovered, trade routes were built, and wars were fought.
BurgerMania: How Banja Luka Helped Map the Regional Burger Scene
Nebojša Lakić, a journalist, web designer, foodie, and passionate burger enthusiast from Banja Luka, is the founder of BurgerMania.rs, the first specialized burger-focused food blog in the region. According to Lakić, the idea for the blog emerged spontaneously after the closure of the popular fast-food chain McDonald’s in Banja Luka in 2015.
Science in the Service of Hedonism: The Story of a Signature Gin
In the world of fine spirits, where taste is shaped by patience, knowledge, and an eye for detail, few manage to merge science and creativity into a truly distinctive product. That is exactly what Maja Milijaš has achieved - a PhD in Food Technology, assistant professor at the Faculty of Technology, University of Banja Luka, and founder of The Gin brand.
A Banja Luka Craft Story: The Master Craft Brewery
The Banja Luka - based craft brewery The Master Craft Brewery (MCB) is the only one in Bosnia and Herzegovina that produces beer on-site, in its own taproom. Although craft culture is well established across the region, in Banja Luka and Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is still in its earliest stage of development.
Banja Luka Ćevapi: A Krajina Delicacy That Has Reached Every Continent
If you find yourself in Sydney, skip the grilled kangaroo. If you wander through the streets of São Paulo, forget the barbecue beef. And if your journey takes you to the City of Light, don’t rush to order a Parisian schnitzel. In all three cities, you can try something far better - Banja Luka ćevapi.
Gastronomy Without Rules: Where Sweet Meets Savory
There are flavors we are used to. And then there are those that surprise us from the very first bite. The combination of sweet and savory was once reserved for the bold, but today it is increasingly becoming the rule rather than the exception. Because it is precisely at that line of contrast that the most exciting gastronomic experiences are created. This is no coincidence. It is a play of balance.
Chef Relja Dimitrijević: Truffles Are Gold on the Plate
They grow only underground, they are rare, and difficult to find. Much like gold, reaching them requires real effort - digging, knowledge, and a clear sense of what you are looking for. That is part of their undeniable allure.
From Zagreb to the Region: A Gastro Guide Through “Dobra Mjesta”
In a sea of digital content, where trends and recommendations change daily, a profile has emerged that successfully combines authenticity, passion, and a genuine love for food. That story belongs to Viktor Kuharić, the creator behind the Instagram page “Dobra Mjesta.”
The Soul of a City Is Discovered in Taverns
Serbian poet Đorđe Nešić once told me about his student days in Osijek. The day, he said, would begin with an espresso at “Super,” and continue with a drink at the “IPK” restaurant on the promenade.
Streets That Smell Delicious: The Best Street Food in the World
There are cities we remember for their architecture, museums, or history. But there are also those we remember for their aromas - the smoke rising from a small grill on a street corner, the spices drifting through the night air, and the simple dishes eaten quickly while standing, yet remembered for a lifetime.
Ambassador from the Plains of Vojvodina
In the heart of the Vojvodina plains, in the village of Čurug, cheeses are crafted that unite tradition and quality. Zorica Radišić, from the dairy producer Farmer Sirevi, guides us through the story of authentic products, among which Ambassador stands out as the true jewel of the collection.
Wine Fine Trebinje: Spring in the Spirit of Wine and Friendship
In the city of sun, stone, and wine, beneath the canopies of century-old plane trees, the symbol of Trebinje, wine, food, and friends will meet once again this spring. The third edition of the Wine Fine Trebinje festival will take place on May 2, confirming the continuity and growth of an event that continues to raise the standards of the regional wine and gastronomy scene.
When the Camera Takes a Seat at the Table: A Digital Gastro Revolution
Brothers Milan and Tomo Božičković, the well-known faces behind the gastro/food YouTube channel “ŠtaDaJedem?” (“What Should I Eat?”), have spent years exploring the best places to enjoy a quality meal in Belgrade and its surroundings. As they explain, the entire project began from a desire to put on screen what they already loved doing in their free time - discovering new restaurants and following friends’ recommendations about where to find the city’s best food.
Food as a Universal Language: The Italian Spirit in the Heart of Australia
In a world constantly chasing trends and reinvention, there are places that remain faithful to what matters most - emotion, simplicity, and genuine flavor. One of those places is Basile Pizzeria in Australia, founded by Dora and Vito, two enthusiasts who have transformed Italian tradition into a contemporary, multicultural story.
