The Maxi fleet of sailboats brought together award-winning celebrity chefs whose culinary creations reflect the grace and precision of the sailboats themselves. After thrilling sailing competitions, culinary masters took the stage in the kitchen of the Grand Hotel Brioni and created magic on the plate.
The chefs, already honored with internationally recognized Michelin stars and Gault&Millau awards, guaranteed a top-notch experience. Among them were:
- Nikola Laera from the "Burjé 1968" restaurant at Arkadia Hotel - 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 Comandante - Romeo Hotel 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 in Brtonigla, Croatia
The culinary skills were evaluated by an expert jury led by chef David Skoko. Alongside him, the jury included prominent figures from the Italian sailing and gastronomic scene such as Claudio Demartis, longtime manager of Barcolana and co-founder of Olimpic Sails, and Franco Favaretto, Chef of the Venetian Baccalà Divino and longtime coordinator of the sailing-gastronomic event San Pellegrino Cup in Venice. Also part of the expert jury were Stefano Vegliani, sports journalist and author of three books on sailing, and Fausto Arrighi, Michelin inspector and gastronome who has visited around nine thousand restaurants worldwide with a focus on Croatian gastronomy!
Federico Quaranta, host of the renowned 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, along with several influencers.
Maxi On Cooking Star 2024 was not just a competition but a true feast for all senses. All ingredients were local, and seven extraordinary dishes of locally sourced fish and vegetables were prepared. With the perfect blend of flavors, technical skills, and creativity, a special award was given for the title of culinary show winner.
According to the votes of the expert jury led by local chef David Skoko, alongside Executive Chef of the Grand Hotel Brioni, Luka Jukić, Salvatore Bianco from Naples emerged as the winner, while the honorary jury chose the dish of young Alessandro Rossi.
Reli Slonim, CEO of Arena Hospitality Group, on behalf of the honorary jury, awarded the main prize to Alessandro Rossi from the restaurant Gabbiano 3.0 - Marina di Grosseto – a stay at the Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, A Radisson Collection Hotel. Additionally, the CEO of Arena Hospitality Group thanked everyone who participated in the event, which has been held for the third consecutive year at the Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, emphasizing how such special events that combine luxury sport and top-notch gastronomy are something that sets our region apart and makes it increasingly recognized for these unique, selective forms of tourism.
In addition to sports and gastronomy, the entire sailing event transcends borders and presents the beautiful landscape of Istria. From picturesque Rovinj to historic Pula, participants and spectators are increasingly captivated by the beauty of the northern Adriatic coast each year, and the Prosecco DOC MAXI ON Cooking Star event remains unforgettable, both for participants and for the audience.