About your teacher
David Skoko is an Istrian born and raised chef, well known in Croatia and beyond for his unique style of cooking, as well as a charismatic personality, presented in numerous TV appearances.
David has been very close to the Adriatic sea and traditional Istrian cuisine since a very young age. Ever since the early days of professional cooking in his family’s konoba Batelina, David has created a philosophy of cooking with a focus on sustainability and utmost respect to ingredients, which are mainly focused on seafood. His unique perspective of local cuisine, combined with exceptional skills and creativity, has made Batelina one of the top Istrian restaurants, with recognition from both Michelin and Gault & Millaut guides.
During the past decade, Skoko has been a prominent figure in numerous local and international cooking shows, including his own TV show on 24Kitchen, as well as high-profile collaborations with Anthony Bourdain, Gordon Ramsey, Henry Cole and many more.
In short, you will be learning from one of the best chefs in this region of Europe.
An exquisite gourmet experience
Istrian gastronomy is known for its unique blend of ingredients that come from the sea, as well as the inland area, some of which are unique to this small Croatian region. They include white and black truffles from the valley of Mirna river, endemic Boškarin kettle from the inland villages, the freshest possible seafood from the Adriatic and some of the world’s finest olive oils and wines.
During our special culinary workshops, David will share the secrets of Istrian traditions and introduce you to some of the best local ingredients. In a 4 hour cooking class, you will get to discover some of his culinary tips and tricks and learn how to prepare several gourmet delicacies. Small groups of maximum 20 people will make sure that David can devote some of his time individually to everyone involved.
During your stay, apart from the cooking class, you will have the opportunity to taste and learn about the production process behind Vergal, one of the best croatian olive oils, awarded with a gold medal at the World Olive Oil Competition in 2021. As a perfect souvenir, each participant will leave with a bottle of this local delicacy.
What else to expect?
In addition to the gastronomic experience, you can also expect to enjoy Istria’s largest indoor swimming pool with heated seawater, as well as whirlpool, gym, and special prices of massages and facials in the hotel's wellness center. And we shouldn’t forget to mention the magical setting of the charming town of Novigrad, which can be reached by a 10-minute walk from the seafront hotel Aminess Maestral.
Aminess Cooking with class by David Skoko will be available for only 8 weekends in 2022 by the following dates:
- April 15 - April 17; April 29 - May 1; May 13 - May 15; May 27 - May 29
- September 9 - September 11; September 30 - October 2; October 28 - October 30; November 4 - November 5
As the capacity for this special series of workshops is very limited, make sure to make your booking as soon as possible.
See you in Novigrad!