Aminess Gourmet Lab: top chefs, new culinary skills and a focus on profitability in the F&B segment
The new edition of the MICHELIN Guide for Croatia has brought significant recognition to Valamar's restaurants in Poreč. Harry's Piccolo Poreč has received its first MICHELIN star, while Spinnaker and JAZ by Ana Roš have been included among the restaurants with a MICHELIN recommendation. These are three different gourmet concepts that share the same dedication to quality, excellence and creating authentic experiences for guests. These accolades are further validation of Valamar's continuous investments in developing its gourmet offering and collaborating with top domestic and international chefs.
Special recognition has arrived for Harry's Piccolo Poreč, a restaurant located in Pical Resort, Valamar's most ambitious tourism project. The restaurant was opened in cooperation with renowned chefs Matteo Metullio and Davide De Pra, whose Harry's Piccolo in Trieste holds two MICHELIN stars, while the kitchen in Poreč is led by chef Goran Hrastovčak. Harry's Piccolo Poreč is inspired by the culinary traditions of Croatia, Italy and Slovenia, combining premium local ingredients, precise execution and a strong sense of place through a contemporary approach to cuisine. Every plate represents a dialogue between cultures, with a focus on quality and balance of flavours.
"We are exceptionally proud that Harry's Piccolo Poreč won a MICHELIN star just a few months after opening. Bringing our culinary philosophy to Istria was an ambitious project that would not have been possible without the trust and support of Valamar from the very beginning. This recognition belongs to the entire team in Poreč, especially to chef Goran Hrastovčak and his associates who embraced our vision with great dedication and successfully translated it into the restaurant's daily operations," stated Matteo Metullio and Davide De Pra.
This year, a MICHELIN recommendation was also awarded to JAZ by Ana Roš Poreč, a restaurant opened as part of the Jadran Heritage Hotel on the Poreč waterfront. The young dining concept of one of the world's most esteemed female chefs is based on seasonality, local ingredients and a more relaxed approach to a premium gourmet experience.
"I am delighted that the MICHELIN Guide has recognised JAZ by Ana Roš so quickly after its opening. JAZ was born out of a desire to bring top-quality food closer to people through a vibrant and relaxed concept, without compromising on quality. Istria has been part of my culinary world from the very beginning, which is why this recognition holds special significance," commented Ana Roš.
Spinnaker has also retained its MICHELIN recommendation. Under the leadership of chef Marko Turković, the restaurant is developing a contemporary approach to cuisine focused on the sea, seasonality and respect for ingredients, confirming the quality of the new concept within the very first months of its development.
The accolades for Harry's Piccolo Poreč, Spinnaker and JAZ by Ana Roš reflect a commitment to quality, authentic gourmet concepts and the creation of unique experiences.
"We are particularly pleased that the MICHELIN Guide has recognised three restaurants we are developing in Poreč this year. The MICHELIN star for Harry's Piccolo Poreč and the recommendations for Spinnaker and JAZ by Ana Roš are a huge acknowledgement for all the teams working daily to create superb experiences for our guests. These accolades confirm the importance of continuous investment in the gourmet offering and collaboration with top names from the domestic and international culinary scene. We are proud to jointly create content that further enriches the tourism offering and the stay experience of our guests," said Dario Kinkela, Food and Beverage Director at Valamar.
The MICHELIN recognitions further confirm the quality of the gourmet offering being developed in Poreč and contribute to its increasingly strong visibility on the Croatian gourmet scene.
