RIJEKA, Croatia - Krk island born Deni Srdoč is set to join Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa as Head Chef for the resort’s Nebo Restaurant & Lounge.
“We are delighted to welcome Deni Srdoč to our resort as Head Chef for our signature rooftop restaurant. With Deni leading the restaurant’s team of expert chefs, we will bring a new dining experience and culinary adventure to Kvarner Bay and Croatia for all our guests,“ said Jose Luis Ruiz Arroyo, General Manager, Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa.
Srdoč, aged 28, owes his love and passion for cooking to his grandmother, who inspired his career path and the decision to enroll in the private Culinary Institute Oliva Allegra in Split, Croatia. As a fresh graduate, Srdoč quickly grew from an apprentice to a sous chef thanks to his culinary talent and experiences in renowned restaurants.
Prior to joining Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa, Srdoč was a Head Chef at Draga di Lovrana Restaurant. In 2018, Srdoč was named the Best Young Chef in Croatia and the Young Talent of the year by Gault&Millau. At the age of 27, Deni Srdoč received his first Michelin star, becoming the youngest chef in Croatia to hold the prestigious culinary award.
“My dishes are a creative and contemporary representation of the Mediterranean and Croatian tradition, with signature recipes and ingredients originating from all over Croatia. Bringing my signature interpretation of the new Croatian gastronomy to life in such an inspiring location as Nebo Restaurant & Lounge, together with the team from Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa, is a very exciting project and journey that I am thrilled to embark on.”
Srdoč’s cooking style blends modern with traditional touches, underpinned by an Italian-French influence. While the chef's main source of inspiration remains rooted in his Mediterranean heritage, Srdoč views gastronomy as a global art form inspired by his everyday life and world travels that take him on curious journeys towards understanding the connection between the local and global in every cuisine. To guide his guests on a discovery of the destination, Srdoč selects the ingredients from carefully chosen Croatian farmers and producers that align with the chef’s ‘farm to table’ and ‘zero food waste’ philosophies. Organically grown and locally sourced ingredients are a staple in his recipes and will inspire the chef’s new culinary creations that will delight the palates of the guests at the Nebo Restaurant & Lounge through distinctive yet complementary textures and flavors.
Nebo Restaurant & Lounge completes the resort’s extensive food & beverage offering that ranges from Aura, the comfortable escape for guests to linger in and socialize; to Sunce, the relaxed lounge for unwinding by the pool; to Jedro, the easygoing Mediterranean beach restaurant; to The Kitchen, the casual dining restaurant with a warm and residential ambiance, led by the resort’s local Executive Chef, Miljenko Kosanović.
Nebo, the vibrant formal dining destination, will proudly blend the unique flavors of Croatia with breathtaking views over the Adriatic, the town of Opatija and Cres island. From creative dishes in the restaurant to afternoon teas and evening cocktails in the airy lounge, Deni Srdoč and the team will welcome their guests to a striking location set atop the latest addition to the Kvarner Bay area, Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa.
The resort will provide its guests with a full complement of services and amenities, including 194 sea-facing rooms, suites and villas, a holistic wellness experience at the Eforea Spa & Health Club, six restaurants and bars, a private beach with mooring spots, family-friendly amenities such as the Kids Club, as well as four meeting rooms and outdoor spaces for successful meetings and events.
Set to open in early 2021, Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa is located in Opatijska Street, a tranquil location between the city of Rijeka and the town of Opatija. To stay up to date with the resort’s news, visit rijekacostabella.hilton.com.
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