Traditional cuisine of Zadar region is, before anything else, influenced by the natural and geographical features and resources, combined with different influences throughout its rich history. Velebit mountain affecting the climate with its size, and rich Adriatic sea as an important element of the Mediterranean surely do represent crucial factors in this cuisine development over centuries.

Fresh vegetables, simple ways of preparation, some olive oil, spices and herbs. Then, cooked meat and grilled frish or fish prepared as a brudet. Kroštula, strudel or fritule when it comes to desserts. These ingredients and meals are the foundation of Zadar region cuisine.

Although they are local, healthy and traditional, they still have to be preserved, in relation to upcoming globalized food trends. That is why CUHaCHA Zadar CookingFest has been launched. It is a festival of traditional dishes of Zadar County, made to preserve and promote the culinary heritage of the region and to put more emphasis on the inclusion of traditional dishes in the local tourist offer.

The festival will be held in Ulica Šimuna Kožičića Benje, on Friday, December 2, 2022, from 12 to 3 p.m.

There all the visitors will be able to try superb traditional dishes like mussels (prepared "buzara" style), codfish, orzo and beans, cuttlefish, Dalmatian pašticada with gnocchi and curd strudel. Completely for free!

The food will be prepared by Saša Began, Foša restaurant chef; restaurants Trattoria Mediterraneo, Salsa Rossa and OPG Fabijanić from Pag will also participate.

At other stands, agricultural producers from Zadar County will sell their products - cheese, olive oil, dried figs and prošek.

See you at our great CUHaCHA Zadar CookingFest!

CUHaCHA Zadar CookingFest is one of the activities within the Interreg project CUHaCHA – Enhancing Sustainable Tourism Development through Culinary Heritage (Interreg IPA CBC Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2014 – 2020 program). The main goal of the CUHaCHA project is to strengthen and preserve the identity of the common culinary heritage of the program area and contribute to the development of tourism. The leading partner of the project is the Agency for Rural Development of Zadar County - AGRRA (HR), and the other project partners are Zadar County, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Herzegovina - Neretva County - Canton (BiH) and the Municipality of Tivat (Montenegro).