-
Montenegro country markets
Montenegro is a new country and don’t have much definition on what is its National cuisine. Since the country is very small, it has lots of influence from the neighbouring countries. Since Serbia ruled it for years, the cuisine is almost the same. I saw lots of roasted seafood like cuttlefish, lamb, cured meats and cheeses. I saw wheels and wheels of cheese when I went to the Farmers’ market. There were many sheep’s milk cheese.
-
Chefs In Training
I was approached by World Association of Chefs if I am keen to take on an assignment to go to Montenegro as part of the Train the Trainers Program to teach chefs and wannabe chefs on Asian food. Of course I took this opportunity to show off my skills as well as to visit this country. It was a pleasure working with all these wonderful young trainee chefs and some chef owners of restaurants. They were all very enthusiastic to learn Asian cuisine eg. Korean, Japanese, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian.
-
Laid Back Budva
Budva is a popular coastal town in Montenegro. This place is well known for all the Mediterranean architecture, the beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. Budva is the oldest settlements on the Adriatic Sea coast – more than 3500 years old!! Over the years this area was reigned by Roman Empire, the Serbian empire, by the Venetians, the French, Austria-Hungary, Italians and Russians!! Therefore, the people here seemed to have a bit of influence from these various countries. At one time, it was even part of Yugoslavia but today, Montenegro is independent and building itself to be recognised worldwide. Budva’s most famous beach is Mogren and it is nestled between high…
-
My Holy Days in Montenegro
Even though I am not a religious person, I am a highly spiritual person, and I will not think twice to visit any religious place in the world. I have always felt calm when visiting a sacred place when it is not crowded, and I think there is something magical about such places. I visited several spiritual or holy places during this trip to Montenegro – churches, monasteries and an ancient mosque I loved every bit of it. There was even an magnificent mosque in Pljevlja dating from the 16th century and was built by Husein-Pasha Koljanic. Check out the domes of the mosque – it contains exquisite paintings –…
-
The Old and New City
Thousands of tourists flock to Budva every year during the high season. My new friends in Montenegro said that almost everyone in Budva is rich! Apparently, some people even call this place Montenegrin Kuwait – many of the residents here sold their houses to foreign investors for big money and became millionaires. Most of the buyers were Russians, Austrians and Italians. Look at the narrow path between two rows of shops? Well, it is like this almost throughout the old town which makes it charming and interesting. I also visited two beautiful ancient churches. The first was St. Ivan’s which was built in the7th century and the second St. Mary’s…
You May Also Like
Horse Meat Plovs and Hast Imam Mosque
My Holy Days in Montenegro
Chefs In Training
-
Traditionally Press Olive Oil
Mirovica, a little town in Montenegro has the oldest olive tree in the whole of Europe. It is said that it may be about 2000 years old! I had a chance to visit an old olive oil mill and on the same day I had a chance to visit a modern olive oil mill too when I met a lovely gentleman, Milos Davidovic in Montenegro. He owns a newly set up modern olive oil press. The people there can harvest the olives and bring it to him so that his machine can press out the olive. He believes that oil pressed in the modern way is better than the ones…
-
The Le Cordon Bleu Experience
The Le Cordon Bleu in Paris is certainly one of the oldest culinary establishments around – almost more than 110 years!! Last week, I had the opportunity to step into the school, not as a student but as a “professor of cooking” as many of the chefs referred me as. Le Cordon Bleu was founded as a culinary school in Paris in 1895 by the journalist/publisher Marthe Distel. She was the publisher of La Cuisenaire Cordon Bleu magazine. In 1896,, the first cooking demonstration ever to be held on an electric stove was staged at Le Cordon Bleu in an effort to promote the magazine and launch the Paris cooking…
-
Paris Walk
Walking tours are free!! One of the best ways to explore a city is by walking. I was in Paris for eight days and besides my work, I was walking around, each day discovering something exciting and new. I also took the metro and the local buses. The Paris metro is one of the best systems and the oldest in the world….almost on par with New York and London. There are more than 300 stations. So you can cover more distances by taking a train and then explore the new area by walking. Just ensure you have a light backpack, comfortable shoes, a bottle of water and a great smile.…
-
Paris Cookbook Fair
I was doing a cooking demo at the Paris Cookbook Fair 2012 which was held Le 104, 19th Arrondissement, Paris, France. This was the first time, I was doing a cooking demo to an audience of winning cookbook authors and top food industry people. It was indeed an enriching experience. Unfortunately, I could not get better pictures!
-
Streets of San Francisco
The best way to explore San Francisco is by walking around. There is so much to see eg. Skyscrapers of the Financial district, the famous Golden Gate Bridge, the Chinatown, Union Square and so much more. There are even companies and chefs offering gourmet walks!
