TASTE AWARDS 2023 – national awards for quality in the field of food – were awarded for the first time in Belgrade, organized by Color Media Communications and the Food Talk conference
Prizes were awarded in 22 categories, and the laureates were decided by an eminent jury, with the following composition: Duška Jovanić, journalist and columnist; Svetislav Stojanović, editor-in-chief of “Cafe, Bar & Restaurant” magazine; Dimitrije Acevski, chef; Goran Kovačević, chef; Krešimir Macan, PR expert, Zagreb; Milorad Stošljević, Mile Pica, restaurateur, Novi Sad; Marija Radulović, Croatian Chamber of Commerce in Belgrade; Irena Brajović, Confindustria; Maja Petrović, “Vitki gurman”; Igor Luković, wine expert and journalist.
The award in the category “Best restaurant” (Fine dining) was won by the restaurant “Homa” from Belgrade, the award was received on behalf of the restaurant by Vlastimir Puhalo, co-owner of the restaurant. Duška Jovanić, a member of this year’s jury, presented him with the award at the ceremony.
The award for the Best Restaurant in the International Cuisine category went to the restaurant “Cveće zla”, Vladimir Melentijević accepted the award on behalf of the restaurant, and the award was given to him by Svetislav Stojanović, a member of the jury.
The award for the Best Restaurant in the category of Serbian national cuisine was won by Wine House Kovačević from Iriga, Jovana Stojković, the restaurant’s manager, received the award on behalf of the winner. The award was presented at the award ceremony by Danijela Veljović from the Tourist Organization of Serbia.
The award for the Best Restaurant in the category of Italian cuisine went to the restaurant “La Pista”from Kopaonik. Aleksandar Novitović, Director of Food & Beverage of the restaurant, received the award on behalf of the restaurant, the award was presented to him by the painter Gala Čaki.
The award for Best Restaurant in the club or cabaret category went to Cabaret “Lafayette” from Belgrade. The award was received by Goran Ivančević, the restaurant’s F&B director, and Aleksandar Stošić, the restaurant’s executive chef, while the Mexican ambassador to Serbia, His Excellency Carlos Felix Corona, presented them the award.
The award in the Best Chef category was won by Damir Sertić from Belgrade, the award was presented to him by Jovana Antović, from the company Metro Cash & Carry, Serbia.
The award for the Best Boss under 30 was won by Nikola Rosić from Belgrade, the award was presented to him by Dimitrije Acevski, a member of the jury.
The award for the Best Pastry Chef was won by Dejan Veljin, Executive Pastry Chef of Hotel Gorski & Spa. He was awarded the prize by Goran Kovačević, a member of this year’s jury.
The award for the best product in the meat industry category was awarded to the company NEUSATZER for the product “Chicken parfait with apples and white wine“. In front of the laureates, Marko Vasiljevićreceived the award, and the award was presented to him by Marija Radulović, a member of the jury.
The award for the Best Product in the confectionery industry category was won by the company Bambi for the product “Plasma cube“, brand manager Tamara Roman received the award on behalf of the company, at the award ceremony, the award was presented to her by Olivera Stefanović Stanković from the agency “Proglas”.
The award for the Best Product in the category of the mill-bakery industry was awarded to the company ILLI Pasta for the product “ILLI Pasta – wide noodle“, the award was received by the owner of the company Danijela Mandić, and the award was presented by Jelena Djordjević from the Institute for the Study of Cultural Development.
The award for the best product in the fruit and vegetable processing category was awarded to the Coca-Cola company for the product “Next Classic Jagoda“, the award was received on behalf of the company by Aleksandra Todorović, and the award was presented to her by Dragan Močević, Prime Communications and Slavko Spasić, director of the Museum of Natural History.
The award for the Best product in the non-alcoholic drinks category was won by the Coca-Cola company for the product “Schweppes Pink Tonic“, the brand manager for Schweppes Aleksandra Todorović received the award on behalf of the company, and the award was presented by Lea Stanković, executive director of the Communis agency.
The award for the best product in the category of natural mineral water was received by the Coca-Cola company for the product “Rosa Homolje“, the award was presented to the representative of the company by Milica Bajković from the agency “Forward”.
The award for the best industrial beer was won by Carlsberg Serbia for “Lav Premium“, the award was received on behalf of the company by Darko Solomun, while the award was presented to him by Borislav Despotović, editor-in-chief of “BizLife” magazine.
The award for the best craft beer was awarded to Stolen Pine Tree beer, Zbir Brewery. The award was presented to the representative of the brewery, Milovan Knežević, by Vladimir Marinković.
The award in the best red wine category was awarded to Lakićević Winery for “Merula 2019“. The award was received by the owner of the winery Natalija Lakićević, and the award was presented to her by the writer Ian Bancroft.
The award for the best white wine was awarded to Grašac Grand Fru, Vinčić winery. Sommelier Predrag Gavrilović, presented the award to the owner of the winery, Aleksandar Vinčić.
The award for the best rosé wine was awarded to Winery Despotika for “Nemir 2022“. Bojana Despotovićand Milica Milinović received the award on behalf of the winery, while Igor Luković, a member of the jury, presented them with the award.
The award for the best sparkling wine was awarded to the Zvonko Bogdan Winery for “Eclater, 2021“. Journalist and producer Zlatko Crnogorac, at the awarding ceremony, presented the award to the representative of the winery, Ivan Aleksić.
The award for the best orange wine was awarded to Grašac Amfora wine from Winery Vinčić. The owner of the winery, Aleksandar Vinčić, received the award, which was presented to him at the award ceremony by Dejan Zagorac from the Institute for the Study of Cultural Development.
The special award for the family restaurant with the longest tradition was won by the tavern “Kod Mira“. Robert Čoban, president of the Color Press Group, presented the award to Predrag Matović, the owner of the restaurant.
We congratulate the TASTE AWARDS 2023 award winners and look forward to future laureates.
