Kvarner – European Region of Gastronomy 2026 – host of the 13th International Festival Taste the Mediterranean

From 11 to 14 September, Kvarner – the European Region of Gastronomy 2026 – will host top Mediterranean chefs participating in a unique international festival of food, wine, gastronomy, indigenous products, cultural heritage and the Mediterranean way of life – Taste the Mediterranean. Awarded Michelin stars, Gault&Millau toques and JRE prizes, the Mediterranean chefs will gather for the first time in Mali Lošinj, where they will prepare exclusive dinners together with the host chefs in the best restaurants and taverns in the city, and in the fine dining restaurants of Lošinj Hotels & Villas in Čikat Bay.

As part of the Festival TTM, a special conference will be dedicated to Kvarner – the European Region of Gastronomy 2026 bringing together experts from the fields of tourism, gastronomy, hospitality, culture and art. A region with a rich history at the crossroads of cultures and civilizations and an even richer gastronomic heritage, constantly upgraded by nurturing its autochthonous identity and developing its quality, Kvarner has won the title of European Region of Gastronomy 2026 for a reason. The region is a unique blend of coast, islands and mountains, enriched with the finest ingredients and the dishes from a new generation of chefs, while the complete experience of authentic flavours is rounded off by wines from the indigenous varieties united under the Kvarner Wines brand. Internationally awarded chefs will also hold educational culinary workshops for future young chefs from the local Catering high school. The Festival Taste the Mediterranean was launched in 2014 when UNESCO included the Croatian Mediterranean diet on the list of world intangible cultural heritage. It was previously held in Šibenik, Rovinj, on the island of Hvar and in Split, and has become an unmissable gourmet event in the Croatian part of the Mediterranean. The festival’s rich programme has been attracting professionals and tourists for 13 years under the motto – good food, good wine, good fun.