Food
From Banja Luka to the World's Oceans: Turning Hedonism into a Profession
For Andrej Slavnić, travel, gastronomy and fine wine are not simply passions - they are a profession. His journey began in 2016, when the Banja Luka native joined one of the world's leading luxury cruise lines, Viking Ocean Cruises, as a wine specialist, embarking on a career that would carry him across every ocean and to some of the planet's most extraordinary destinations.
Five European Cheeses Every Food Lover Should Try at Least Once
Some countries are best discovered through their cities, others through their wines or desserts. But there is one product that often reveals more about a region's history, climate, and way of life than an entire travel brochure - cheese. Behind every wheel lie centuries of craftsmanship, carefully preserved traditions, and flavors that are almost impossible to replicate anywhere else.
Desserts That Even the Legendary Stevo Karapandža Couldn't Resist
The creativity behind his desserts leaves a lasting impression, making him one of the first names that comes to mind when speaking about modern pastry art in the region. Trained by some of the industry's finest professionals, he has also earned the admiration of one of the Balkans' most celebrated chefs. His creations delighted the palate of renowned chef Stevo Karapandža, with whom he once shared the kitchen.
Beer, Street Food and Live Music: A Ten-Day Festival Celebrating Great Flavors and Great Sounds
September brings an event that combines everything lovers of a good time enjoy most - outstanding food, quality beer, open-air concerts, and the vibrant atmosphere of Europe's most popular food festivals.
Five Things That Make the Difference Between a Good and a Great Barbecue
Barbecue is one of those dishes that almost everyone believes they know how to prepare. And indeed, grilling meat over fire is not particularly difficult. However, the difference between an average barbecue and an exceptional one often lies in the details that many people overlook.
How to Feel Like You're by the Sea, Even When You're Far from the Coast
Not every summer day is reserved for the seaside, sandy beaches, or long-distance travel. Many of us spend the season working, staying in our hometowns, or saving our vacation for later. Yet the feeling of being on holiday doesn't always depend on where you are. Sometimes, all it takes is a change of pace. Hedonism is not measured in miles but in the way we choose to spend our time.
Five Things You Should Never Order at a Restaurant Just for the Photo
There’s an interesting paradox in modern travel and gastronomy. We’ve never photographed food more, yet we rarely pay less attention to how it actually tastes. Social media has turned certain dishes into internet stars, but the most photogenic option isn’t always the best one. Here are five things you should never order just because they look great in a picture.
Jovan Memedović for HEDONIST: Hedonism Is When You Trade a House in Dedinje for a Log Cabin on the Drina River
For centuries, millions of people have searched for their place in the metropolis where the Danube and Sava rivers meet. Hundreds of thousands moved to Belgrade, the largest city of the former Yugoslavia, for education or temporary work and ended up staying there for life.
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.
Dubrovnik Through the Eyes of a Local: A City That Isn’t Seen, but Lived
Dubrovnik is often described as the pearl of the Adriatic, but for those who live there, it is far more than a tourist postcard. It is a way of life, a rhythm that refuses to rush, and a daily routine built around one simple philosophy - pomalo.
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.
