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3rd Annual KOTLOVINA CHALLENGE
Ok, what is this, really?
For those of you who have been to either of the previous two Kotlovina contests, we know we will see you again Saturday. For those who have yet to experience this, please take what I am telling you below very seriously.
This is unlike any event you have been to before and unlike any event we or anyone around will host and invite you to attend. Some of the best Croatian outdoor cooking devices will be on display which will produce some of the absolute tastiest food you will have tried in a while (if ever). All of this is available this Saturday afternoon at GMR!
When can I eat?
Here is the deal. Cooks start firing things up around 1pm and will likely need about 4 hours until their masterpiece is complete (slow cooking at its best!) Please feel free to come up anytime after 1pm to watch the live cooking action and no later than 5pm to taste and help judge the finished products from the contestants. People will purchase a small tasting bowl and work their way through the contestants to taste and eventually vote on their favourite dish. The voting part is secondary to keep things interesting and competitive, but every year all of our chefs (and those who come up to eat) are the real winners!
How to Cook
Each contestant is encouraged to make their own kotlovina as best they know how. There are no strict rules, limits or restrictions put on our chefs – make the best kotlovina you can and have fun doing it is the name of the game! This style has produced kotlovine made using various types of base meats (i.e. deer, bison, elk) as well as various seafoods in addition to the traditional beef and pork creations. The variety from the different dishes has been great in the first two years and we hear this year will be even better.
Come and Learn
Also, this year our chefs have agreed to show/teach those interested how they create their masterpiece. For those who have always wanted to learn, we encourage you to show up at 1pm and find a station to learn at or reach out to one of the chefs listed here in advance to receive the full cooking experience.
Contestants
We are just thrilled to have a record number of participants this year. 13 of Hamilton Croatia’s best are registered for a competition that never disappoints a hungry crowd. We would like to wish the following participants the best of luck and thank them in advance for making this such a great event.
- Family Ciglenecki
- Steven Grguric & Jordan Bucar
- Josip Katinic
- Andre Lisijak
- Janko Marsic
- Ivan Parilac
- Milan Radman
- Tom Saic* (past champion)
- Joe Skaljin
- Mario Sosic
- Danny Stajduhar
- Mark Vuksan
- Joe Zeleznak
Come up and cheer on your favourite and look forward to trying other dishes.
Judging
Here is where things get exciting. To help us judge the best kotlovina of the night, in addition to the annual “people’s choice champion” we are honoured to have executive chef Stephan Schulz (instagram: Chef_Schulz) attending. Along side chef Schultz will be our very own Hamilton Mayor, Fred Eisenberger helping judge the competition These two gentlemen will serve as honourary judges for this year’s cook-off. Chef Schultz has an extensive resume and has been around the culinary scene for years, with professional cooking in his family’s DNA. Most recently, chef Schultz had the opportunity to help the Canadian culinary Olympic team representing Canada on the world stage. We are excited to have him and Mayor Fred sample and comment on the Croatian Kotlovina!
Live Music
This year we will be entertained by TS Fenjer who will begin playing right after the contest and awards are complete (approx. 7pm).
If there are last minute entries or any questions please either reply to this email or call Mark Vuksan directly at (905) 902-6634. See everyone Saturday!
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