Restaurant Magellan New Belgrade

 Why should someone less knowledgeable about food rate you as a chef? words from MPW

I dislike to give restaurants revues, who am I do do this, yes I like or No I dont and will not go back, very simple for me, UNLESS its something special and original like Magellan located in New Belgrade.

The concept is around a luxury yacht and the famous seafarer Magellan, walking towards the restaurant you see the big door straight out of a mega yacht somewhere in the Mediterranean, very cool and extremely posh and polished,  then you walk in and see the wine rack Petrus, Mouton and so on you quickly realize that this is not the regular bistro located in the concrete environment of the city.

The FOH staff is really good and friendly with great attention and warm hospitality and we as a group was very well treated with nice wines, rakija and some really nice dishes from their winter menu, thank you Chef Alexander for this special treat and keep pushing for your star.

Ziveli

Food & wine pairing how confusing it is , or not!

 I frequently read and listen to diverse kind of wine geeks, sommeliers and so called professional wine tasters who tell their store when it comes to food & wine pairing, many are absolutely ridiculous and totally out of tune and try to explain something that are not correct

This wine goes with white fish bla bla bla  because its white and crisp with a scent of cherry blossom

ok fine for the wine, but then the bloody chef serve this white fish lightly smoked on a pile of mushroom and pepper ragout and a foam of dill.... how does this match? not at all for sure

To match a wine with only a protein in mind will always fail, so let me give you all some small simple fundamental guidelines 

Fish is it baked, roasted, well seasoned, flaky or firm, cold or river fish?

what is accompanying the fish 

vegetables, rice, potatoes, are they roasted or cooked? 

What sauce are you using for this fish?

Buttery, light vinaigrette, reduction of fishbones, creamy white vine sauce or just simple a squeezy of fresh lemon?

So if you take all this factors in mind you will end up with a total different wine that you was aiming at in first hand for sure, but yes if you understand mouthfeel, the basic flavors and have common sense you are able to balance the food to suit your fish much better.

sure thing is that with training and try-error you will eventually master this as I did after 45 years of cooking and drinking wine, a shitty job but someone need to do it

cheers 

Wine vision Belgrade Serbia

 Wine vision is a yearly wine fair with focus on Balkan wines but also many producers from around the world, this year it have around 500 exhibitors showcasing astonishing wines.

The Decanter award wines was a certain go to booth especially after we meet Ana who is their sales person and even more so Dusan Jelic who I meet in person for the first time, we meet on line in wine forums many years ago so super fun that he recognized me...

strolling around and drinking wine (I did not spit here naughty me) with Christina for a hour or two was just pure enjoyment and pleasure, also to meet wine people who love their job and their wines.

Until next year my lovely wine nerds and ziveli 

Friends visiting Cairo

 Everyone who I know should take the opportunity to visit me here in Cairo as long as I am here and housing and guiding is of exceptional quality!! 

Marie and Stefan my long time Habibis did just that, a long weekend her with me and Christina and let me tell you that they where and are still surprised, chocked, mesmerized and blown away of this city, we had great fun visiting all the important sites, good food and good times, we even got the chance to do a river cruise all organized by Mr Mike, beer on the Nile is not to bad having the sun kissing your cheeks. thank you for coming and always welcome back 

 

More from open Balkan

 Amazing days deserve more attention and even more photos so here it comes and I even did a TV show as usual at TanJug national television, always a blast.

Open Balkan and wine vison 2024 Belgrade Serbia

 I just returned back from the trip of the year, open Balkan in Belgrade was held for the third year and are growing like crazy to this years 500 exhibitors and when the new exhibition center opens up in 2027 and world expo in the same year will be a game changer.

Let me tell you a bit of what we do here (check my other post from last year)

A collectives judging panel comes to Belgrade and judge the competitions and different categories with me to push, motivate and encourage the young chefs from the Balkan region to excel in the culinary field and create even more and better future for the gastronomy in the Balkans next year I hope for more competitors from the other countries)

Its amazing to see how the junior chefs are taking last years feedback and are pushing to new heights, it makes this old heart very happy to see, feedback is the most important key factor for us to share and to push this junior chefs in the direction where they can showcase true culinary talent.

Non of this would be achievable without the Junior chefs club in Serbia and Nicola, Uros, Novak, Sale and the team, thank you for making this event better and better year to year, I cant wait to see how big it can grow. Also thank to my lovely wife who let me do this crazy things and tag along!! love you babe.

The judge section this year is from Brazil, South Africa, France, UK, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and also me as well, what a great group of talented chefs and funny, witty and hopelessly romantic people that are bringing and sharing some of the Serbian soul when they go home to their countries, this is the ambassadors for sure. Thank you for this year and I'm already longing for the next time I can meet this team. and here are some photos.

How to avoid getting sick eating salad

 Eating salad in Egypt is always on your own risk and this can easily destroy your vacation, you have to go safe with food here even if its hot, humid and you crave for that light lunch or dinner, dont do it!!

The Nile is the only source of water for most farmers and considering the pollution that transfer to the plants is an immense danger for us humans to consume.

But, at the same time there is farmers that do have their own water supplies and irrigation system that cultivates the most amazing greeneries  around, like Mr Makkar whos farm we have visited many times just to have a look at what is in season, great guy producing stunning veggies, and also safe to consume.