Inauguration of AZRRI's New Outdoor Didactic Kitchen
22/06/2026
AZRRI (Agency for Rural Development of Istria) celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Istria Educational Gastronomy Centre in Gortanov Brijeg (Pazin). Alongside the anniversary, the new outdoor didactic kitchen was officially inaugurated, representing one of the main infrastructure achievements realized within the framework of the European TESTEAT project.
Over the past 10 years, the Centre has established itself as an essential benchmark for professional training and the promotion of Istrian local products:
- 282 educational and culinary workshops organized.
- Over 3,000 participants including professionals and students, both Croatian and international.
- 58 world-renowned chefs and mentors hosted throughout the activities.
The inauguration of the new outdoor facility, equipped with state-of-the-art gastronomic equipment, will expand the Centre's educational capacity, providing an ideal space for live demonstrations, specialized courses, and showcooking events.
The celebrations kicked off on 15 June with a high-level culinary workshop led by Chef Domenico Candela, Executive Chef of the renowned George Restaurant in Naples (2 Michelin stars).
Supported by the Administrative Department for Tourism of the Istria Region, the chef guided participants through a journey of contemporary techniques and fine dining, enhancing local products and meat from indigenous livestock breeds in an innovative way.
The new state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen will take live cooking, specialized training, and sustainable gastronomy to the next level, ensuring a lasting legacy for the TESTEAT project.
