Black Sea Fish Festival: ŠKMER’s Biser Mora Named Leading Festival in Southeast Europe

This year’s XII edition of the Black Sea Fish Festival in Romania brought together chefs, specialists, researchers and representatives of the gastronomy and fishing sectors from 25 countries. The festival marked the 40th anniversary of Euro-Toques International, the organisation founded by the French chef Paul Bocuse.

It is organised by Euro-Toques Romania and the European cultural association Euro Est Alternativ (ACEEA), and among the international participants were representatives of ŠKMER, the association of chefs of the Mediterranean and European regions.

ŠKMER at the Black Sea Fish Festival

ŠKMER again had a substantial role in the programme, from sitting on the jury and running a cooking show to building new international partnerships.

Alma Harašić Bremec took part in talks on new partnerships with schools, faculties and trade associations.

Željko Neven Bremec, president of ŠKMER, chaired the Live Cooking jury and took part in the Romanian qualifiers for the Balkan Championship in Turkey.

The international judging team also included Hamid Hadžić and Damir Rožajac, while Zehra Hadžić led the ŠKMER team in the cooking show, where they prepared lamb with okra and traditional cakes.

A particularly good result came from Aleksandar Subotić, a ŠKMER member from Sarajevo, who competed in the international fish cookery competition and took the gold medal and the trophy for best fish dish.

He served pan-seared mackerel fillet with crisp potato, rosemary, thyme and lemon, fennel, capers, black olives and cherry tomatoes, finished with a creamy pea and spinach purée with parmesan, a white wine and butter sauce, and a crisp walnut garnish.

Read the full story:

From Sarajevo to Gold in Romania: A Young ŠKMER Chef’s First International Win

Biser mora recognised as the region’s leading festival

One of the more important pieces of news for ŠKMER came from Romania. Biser mora, the international culinary competition and festival ŠKMER runs in Split, received a special recognition and was named the leading festival and competition in Southeast Europe.

The recognition confirms the standing Biser mora has built internationally, and what it means for connecting chefs, young competitors, vocational schools, educators and gastronomy organisations across the region.

Dalmatia as Gastronomy Region 2027

The stay in Romania was also used to continue talks about future joint projects and international cooperation.

“Years of working together on projects, events and competitions have opened talks about Dalmatia being named Gastronomy Region for 2027. That would be real recognition for our gastronomy, and a chance to connect further with international partners,” said Željko Neven Bremec.

He stressed what festivals like this mean for young chefs.

“There were a lot of young cooks competing, spending time together and swapping experience. A festival like this is what pulls them into serious cooking, and that matters for the future of the trade.”