The Istria Tourist Board and the Croatian Tourist Board, in partnership with the British culinary platform Great British Chefs, have organized a study trip for British chefs who have had a chance to visit Istrian landscapes and enjoy gastronomic specialities.


And so, talented British chef Jordon Ezra King, and chef and author Mike Daw have tasted numerous dishes, such as fuži with truffles, Istrian cured ham (pršut) and homemade cheeses. They have also visited local olive oil producers and taken part in truffle hunting through the forest of Motovun. 

King was stunned by the quality and simplicity of Istrian cuisine, and his experience will be featured on the Great British Chefs platform, thereby promoting Croatian gastronomy among British foodies and food lovers.

“The trip through Istria was an eye-opening experience. The quality of the produce, the diversity of landscapes and the region rich history, all of which impact the craft of meal preparation… this is a real treasure trove for all those who are interested in gastronomy”, said Mike Daw, while Jordon Ezra King added: “Istrian cuisine is based on an extraordinary blend of cultures, landscapes and history, all expressed through incredible ingredients and proven culinary knowledge. For all those who are fascinated by the culinary traditions of this region, this is a place of endless depth and brilliance.”

“Jordon Ezra King is a formally educated chef, creative developer of recipes and storyteller who provides an updated, fresh and dynamic portrait of the destination he visits. He has honed his craft in prestigious restaurant in London and Paris, spend the last three months developing the menu for the iconic London hotel The Standard and its restaurant Isla. Apart from his professional career, King is a passionate foodie who spend his free time traveling, recommending culinary destinations and sharing his stories and recipes on online platforms and newsletters. Both he and fellow talented chef and author Mike Daw are delighted with their stay in Istria and their gastronomic experiences, and especially the hospitality, so we are really looking forward to a partnership project and the promotion of Croatia on the Great British Chefs platform”, said Bisera Fabrio, the director of the Croatian Tourist Board delegacy in London.

“It has been a great honour to host talented British chefs and authors Jordon Ezra King and Mike Daw as part of the partnership with the renowned British culinary platform Great British Chefs. In just a few days, our guests have had the opportunity to visit our destination for the first time and experience the flavours of our region. They were most impressed with the landscape, the rich culture, and the extraordinary fresh ingredients such as top-quality extra-virgin olive oil, fresh fish and exceptional Istrian wines. Our guests have visited one of the best small, family-run hotels in Croatia, San Rocco in Brtonigla, the artistic town of Grožnjan, they’ve also had the opportunity to participate in show cooking with the owner and chef de cuisine of the restaurant Toklarija in Sovinjak, they have also visited the Chiavalon estate and winery, along with the Ecomuseum in Vodnjan, the Brijuni National Park, the tavern (konoba) Alla Beccaccia and many other destinations”, explained Denis Ivošević, the director of the Istria Tourist Board, which had the opportunity to take the renowned British chef on a gastronomic tour of Istria.

The aim of the Croatian Tourist Board, the Istria Tourist Board and the Great British Chefs platform is to highlight the abundance and diversity of Croatian cuisine, showcasing autochthonous ingredients and local recipes. Through a series of articles, videos and recipes, the British public will have the opportunity to find out about Croatian gastronomic regions in and authentic way, focusing especially on Istria.

[28/06/2025]