The best of everything - even from beyond the borders

In recent years, the finest restaurants of Hungary lined up next to one another at the festival, so one could taste the best chefs’ offers starting from the popular rural kitchens to Michelin-star restaurants in Budapest. This year not only Hungarian restaurants will be present, but Gourmet invites again the finest guests to Budapest from the culinary scene of the region. In addition, the best Hungarian pastry shops, wineries, breweries, pálinka distilleries will be presented as well as a wide selection of artisanal food products.

Mangalica and strawberries

In the earlier years of the festival the focus was on certain local dishes, but in 2017 similarly to the previous year two basic ingredients were in the spotlight, besides their own  specialties the chefs of the best restaurants composed dishes using two special ingredients: the country’s world famous Mangalica pig and strawberries.

Colourful programmes with national and international stars

Last year, the countryside lunch series kicked off with a full house and enormous success, introducing the most exciting countryside restaurants. To save you time and money, they invited some cool names, including the pilgrim destination ‘Anyukam mondta,’ restaurant from Encs; Platán restaurant located in Tata, managed by the highly respected, Pesti István; the Erhardt restaurant from Sopron; Macok from Eger, and Viator from Pannonhalma. These restaurants’ chefs always host a once in a lifetime and unforgettable gastronomic experience, the dishes are accompanied by excellent Hungarian wines solely chosen by the chefs.

It is a special and rare occasion to get to know the top gastronomy of another continent, especially coming from an exotic part of the world, such as South America. Kamilla Seidler left behind the two-star Mugaritz restaurant, to join Noma that has won the world’s best restaurant award several times. As co-owner with Claus Meyer, they opened Gustu in Bolivia’s capital, La Paz, where they translated Noma's philosophy - using local and seasonal ingredients to create authentic but modern cuisine. Within years, Gustu, has become known as one of the best restaurants in South America. Both the restaurant and Seidler have received numerous awards, with the highest achievement being “Best Female Chef in Latin America” (The World’s 50 best Restaurants). Last year, Seidler stepped down as executive chef of Gustu and started on a world-wide journey to popularize Bolivian and South American Cuisine. András Kató, an international wine academic, chose local wines to accentuate the five-course menu, using the chef’s guidelines. 

Exclusive dinners and workshops

Since last year, exclusive lunches and dinners, held by the best Hungarian restaurants and guest chefs were a major hit, therefore the organisers will be hosting them once again. It is important to register ahead of time. Warsaw’s four Bib Gourmand restaurants will be hosting a dinner for guests. Exceptionally good food at moderate prices - this is the definition used for the Bib Gourmand category in the Michelin Guide. Four restaurants were awarded this rating in Poland: Alewino, Brasserie Warszawska, Butchery & Wine, and Kieliszki na Próznej. A special feature of this event: this is the first time these chefs get together to co-host an eight-course dinner. A selection of Hungarian wines, recommended by the chefs and sommeliers will accompany the dishes.

OTP Bank, as a committed supporter of art and culture is a naming sponsor of the festival for many years now.

For tickets and more info, visit: https://gourmetfesztival.hu/en

Text and photos: courtesy of Gourmet Festival