site.btaBulgaria Joins International Association for Young Chefs

JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs, the international association of young chefs and restauranteurs, officially welcomed Bulgaria to the association in its ranks, said the Tourism Ministry Thursday. The three Bulgarian founding members: Vladislav Penov from Cosmos restaurant, Filip Zahariev from Oná restaurant, and Veselin Kalev from aEstivum restaurant, were officially announced by Chef Daniel Lehmann, President of JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs and owner of the boutique hotel Moosegg in Switzerland at an event in Sofia.

JRE announced the upcoming joining of the three Bulgarian chefs back in February with a post on its website titled "Bulgaria joins JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs - A celebration of Culinary Heritage and Innovation".

"Joining in is a big step forward as well as a serious responsibility. Bulgaria has a lot to show in terms of products, recipes and culinary heritage and we are sure that thanks to JRE we will be able to promote the heritage we have", Vladislav Penov said, quoted by the Tourism Ministry.

During the event, the three Bulgarian chefs showed their interpretation of traditional Bulgarian dishes, unfolding familiar flavours in an extraordinary way.

Tourism Minister Zaritsa Dinkova supported the initiative, stressing that it is a great opportunity for Bulgaria's advancement on the culinary tourism scene.

Daniel Lehmann said that they are pleased to add Bulgaria to the JRE map. "We all have a common goal and today more than ever we are open to the new. I believe there are exceptional opportunities ahead and we will be able to learn from each other in the future," said Lehmann.