Croatia Emerges as Hub for Elite Culinary Learning
Croatia to Become a Regional Hub for Haute Gastronomy Education
Croatia is set to establish itself as a regional center for the professional training of chefs from Southeast European countries, with the launch of the MCEU program. This initiative, a collaboration between METRO Croatia and the organization "I Love France/Ja volim Francusku", aims to elevate Croatia's position as a leader in gastronomic education in the wider region.
The MCEU program, the first international educational cycle of haute cuisine in Southeastern Europe, focuses on connecting Croatia's hospitality sector with top-tier French gastronomy. It offers intensive seven-day training courses for professionals from the HoReCa sector, held four times a year starting in 2026. These courses are led by renowned French chefs Michel Husser and Christian Cottard, owners of the world’s only restaurant with an unbroken Michelin star for 88 years.
The training emphasizes the highest standards of French haute cuisine, including advanced haute gastronomy techniques, a zero-waste approach, and the valorization of local Croatian ingredients. It also aims to transfer Alsace regional culinary expertise to Croatian chefs.
By implementing this program, Croatia hopes to transform into a prominent educational hub for haute gastronomy, elevating the skills and international recognition of the local HoReCa sector while promoting sustainable culinary practices and local product use. This initiative positions Croatia at the forefront of gastronomic education in the region.
The partnership between METRO Croatia and "I Love France/Ja volim Francusku" connects the educational, private, and institutional sectors of both Croatia and France. It includes the European Centre of Gastronomy and the Alsace Region, nurturing connections with French institutions and professional sectors. The METRO Academy of Gastronomy, a new institution created in cooperation with French partners, will be the venue for these training courses.
The MCEU program encourages promotional and media visibility through the international network of partners - the European Centre of Gastronomy. It positions Croatia in the long term as a key destination for the development of haute gastronomy in Southeastern Europe. On July 31, 2025, Croatia is set to become an educational center for haute gastronomy in the immediate region.
- With the launch of the MCEU program, Croatia is positioning itself as a leader in the education and self-development sector, particularly in food-and-drink and lifestyle, by offering online education in haute gastronomy, global cuisines, and sustainable practices.
- The METRO Academy of Gastronomy, a new institution resulting from the collaboration between METRO Croatia and "I Love France/Ja volim Francusku", will become a global hub for learning advanced haute gastronomy techniques, further promoting Croatia's image as a key player in global food-and-drink culture.
- As Croatia transforms into a regional hub for haute gastronomy education, it will not only elevate the skills and international recognition of local chefs in the HoReCa sector but also contribute to the growth and diversification of the food-and-drink industry, making it a significant player in the global food-and-drink market.
