The opening remarks were delivered by Daniel Canzian, President of JRE – Jeunes Restaurateurs, followed by Gregor Repovž, President of JRE-Slovenia, who emphasized the importance of unity within the restaurant profession: "Success in gastronomy relies on teamwork, on a community that operates as a tightly-knit family. JRE-Slovenia is not the story of one individual. It’s a connection of hundreds of faces, teams behind our restaurants. JRE-Slovenia is the story of an extended family that spreads its mission to every individual in our beautiful industry through projects like the JRE Academy."

The audience was also addressed by Nina Bratovž, the newest member of the JRE-Slovenia board and representative of JB Restaurant. She summarized the event with the words:
"Today, you are hosted by the JRE family. We want you to feel comfortable and at home with us."

This year's JRE Academy program was rich and diverse, focusing on education and inspiring the future of hospitality. A special feature of the Academy is that most of the program is led by restaurateurs who are JRE members. This approach creates high-quality, heartfelt, and authentic content.

Participants could attend three culinary masterclasses, engage in practical modules with wine and beer tastings, and deepen their knowledge in workshops covering communication, collaboration with agents, financial management, and marketing in hospitality. A standout moment was the “hot seat” session, where Ksenija Mahorčič held an open and emotional conversation with seasoned chef Uroš Štefelin, shedding light on the less glamorous sides of the hospitality profession. Together, they shared valuable, at times deeply emotional, insights from behind the scenes – knowledge that can only be gained through an authentic dialogue with an experienced restaurateur.

The Academy concluded with a roundtable discussion where restaurateurs from different sectors debated what truly defines success in hospitality. Is it a Michelin star, a full bank account, mastery of intricate cooking techniques, a peaceful life with a stable family – or something entirely different?

The event was made possible with the support of JRE partners, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Food, and the Izbrana kakovost certification. Minister Matjaž Han also addressed the attendees, emphasizing the importance of hospitality as a key pillar of Slovenian tourism.

The Academy's finale was marked by the presentation of JRE Awards, which recognize projects, creativity, and the dedication of individuals and organizations contributing to the development of the hospitality industry. This year’s award winners were:

• ProPlus – for promoting gastronomy and enhancing the reputation of hospitality professions,

• Luka Košir – for championing a sustainable future in gastronomy,

• Miele – for 125 years of innovation and support for culinary arts,

• Guštfest – for preserving culinary heritage and strengthening local gastronomy,

• Boris Gašparin – for a lifetime of work in gastronomy and wine culture,

• Marko Pavčnik – for contributions to the development of gastronomy in the eastern region.

The formal program was followed by relaxed networking, fostering new connections and strengthening existing ones. The event left all attendees inspired and motivated to tackle new challenges in the hospitality industry.

See photos: https://galerija.matjazocko.com/jreakademija2024/ (by Matjaž Očko)