Renowned Chef Tim Raue Explores the Flavours of Istrian Cuisine

One of Germany’s most acclaimed chefs is celebrated for his uncompromising perfectionism and a culinary vision that knows no boundaries. Since 2021, he has been the host of his own culinary travel documentary, “Herr Raue reist!” (“Mr. Raue Travels!”), where he explores global cuisines, local specialties, and the cultural stories behind food.

While filming an episode of “Herr Raue reist!”, the renowned chef, Tim Raue spent several days in Istria, immersing himself in the authentic and diverse culinary scene of Croatia. His journey focused on the unique offerings of the country’s largest peninsula — from freshly caught seafood and top-quality extra virgin olive oil to carefully selected wines and the world-famous truffles of Istria.

Tim Raue’s adventure through the Istrian peninsula begins at dawn, harvesting oysters with local grower Emil, and continues with a lively truffle hunt alongside Capo, the spirited dog from the Prodan family. He dives into the region’s rich truffle-hunting traditions before venturing into the forest in search of the coveted delicacy. His journey then takes him to Rovinj, where he visits chef Jeffrey Vella’s kitchen at the renowned Cap Aureo restaurant to sample his elegant creations. In the town of Bale, Raue observes chef Damir Pejčinović at the Meneghetti Wine Resort as he prepares fresh, handmade pasta. Raue’s exploration of Istria’s culinary scene culminates at the seaside restaurant Puntulina. As the sun sets, he enjoys traditional scampi na buzaru — a dish he later ranks among his “top ten meals in the world.”

The experience left a lasting impression. Inspired by the flavours and stories of Istria, Raue created a special Croatia-inspired menu that viewers can download via QR code and recreate at home — making the show the first interactive culinary program of its kind. This episode serves as the season four finale and is available on streaming platforms Magenta TV+ and RTL+, as well as the German TV channel RTL Living.

It’s worth noting that Berlin's restaurant “Tim Raue”, holds two MICHELIN stars and is consistently ranked among the world’s 50 best restaurants. Beyond his flagship in Berlin, Raue successfully oversees several other establishments — with locations in St. Moritz, Mallorca, and Dubai — further reinforcing his global culinary influence.

The episode filmed in Istria was produced in collaboration with the Croatian National Tourist Board, the Istria Tourist Board, and leading hospitality partner, the Maistra hotel group.