Rural cuisine takes centre stage at this year’s Gourmet Festival, which will welcome visitors with around a hundred exhibitors, dozens of events and tastings between 4 and 7 June at Millenáris Park.
“In recent years, Asian comfort food has made a strong impact not only on the domestic gastronomic scene but also at Gourmet, which is why the festival aims to draw attention to the flavours of the Hungarian countryside this year,” said Richárd Nemes, the chief organiser, at the series of events’ press conference in May.
Tokaj is also represented
He added that this time, dishes from 21 regional restaurants will be available to sample, meaning that a third of the exhibitors are coming from outside the capital. In addition to the returning regional restaurants (Kistücsök, A Konyhám, Horgonyzó, Next Bistro, Sparhelt, Panificio Il Basilico, Teyföl), exhibitors will be coming from numerous regions, including Anyukám mondta, the two-Michelin-starred Platán Tata, Casa Christa, Mede by Adam Mede, Villa Kabala, Lokal at the Lake, La Vie Gourmet and A. Gere from Villány.
The Michelin-starred Babel Budapest has also brought its recently opened sister restaurant in the countryside, Papit, to Tokaj-based Dereszla Winery is now opening its bistro.
The Dereszla Winery in Bodrogkeresztúr combines the very latest innovations in winemaking and gastronomy with a network of cellars stretching for kilometres deep within the mountain, blending tradition with modernity.
Iszkor will also be showcasing its newly opened venue, Gajdó, and Mihályi Patisserie from Vác – widely regarded as one of the country’s finest patisseries – will be in attendance and exhibiting for the first time.
Family Day on Sunday
Speaking about the new additions, Richárd Nemes highlighted the new venue called „Made in Vidék”, where visitors can sample Renátó Kovács’s (Hilda) contemporary goulash, Lajos Bíró’s Baja fish soup, the „nationally renowned” mutton stew from the Nimród restaurant in Karcag, and Ádám Barna’s rooster stew. He noted that there will be “budget-friendly” dishes again this year, with around thirty to forty dishes available for 2,500 forints. He also mentioned that, due to the Champions League final in Budapest, the Gourmet Festival will be held a week later than usual.
Veronika Horváth, the festival’s programme manager, said that the Gourmet Academy is once again welcoming those keen to learn and gain professional knowledge this year, with free lectures, workshops and tastings on related topics on offer.
Sunday will once again be a family day, with free entry to the event for those under 18. Máté Zöld Szentirmai, communications director at Millenáris Park, spoke about how the Gourmet Festival has, for many years, provided the perfect gastronomic experience in Millenáris Park’s communal spaces.
