Food Market Open Kitchen (SI)

Items

Description

1. WHO

Key people and organisations (initiator, leader, partners)

Olam d.o.o. (organizer of the project and brand owner)

Public company Javno podjetje Ljubljanska parkirišča in tržnice, d.o.o., pertner restaurants, independent chefs, tourist farms and catering services

Key Figures (Municipality of Ljubljana)

Surface

Inhabitants

Tourism arrivals

Tourism nights

275 km²

280.140

503.295

948.771

2. WHY

Reason for taking the good practice action

Slovenia has always been a cultural and culinary melting point and has a lot to show. In recent years there has also been an immense progress in the field of local and international cuisine in the country.

Knowing that, we realised that Ljubljana was lacking a place where locals and tourists could get the best and diverse Slovenian culinary selection in one place. We decided to organize a food market that would show all of the great selection of food Slovenia can offer.

Issues and challenge

In the beginning, the main challenge was to assure the participation of a sufficient number of high quality partner restaurants, as it was a pioneer project. Now, after 2 more than successful seasons our main goal is to maintain the high quality offer and (after many inquiries) expand the project outside the capital.

3. HOW

Methods / steps / tools used (to develop the good practice)

In the selection process we team up with local gastronomy experts to assure high quality offer at the food market.

With all the steps taken to organize the project, we provide the restaurants a platform with a unique opportunity to network, talk one-on-one to visitors, present and promote their specialties outside their town or region, introduce new ideas and dishes

With focus and dedication to high quality meals served as street food, we provide the visitors with a somewhat unconventional culinary experience.

4. RESULT

Specific / measurable results, benefits

We host more than 10.000 visitors at each event (with big percent of regular visitors) and have cooperated with more than 100 vendors (with increasing number of partner inquiries from all over the country, as well as abroad). Responses on social networks are extremely positive; the project is also regularly covered by media.

Odprta kuhna has attracted a lot of new visitors to the Ljubljana Central Market and has also become an important part of Ljubljana and Slovenia tourist attraction and offer. It is featured in many official tourist guides, as well as travel and culinary blogs.

With the success of the project came invitations to several business and tourism conferences and inquiries to expand the project outside the capital.

Recognitions (e.g. awards)

JAKOB 2014 (award for tourism quality and excellence in the Alps-Adriatic region), SEJALEC 2014 (award for innovative achievements in tourism)

5. REFLECTION

Lessons learned

When creating such a project and cooperating with such a large number of partners we have to understand that some restaurants are not able to participate on a weekly basis because of their obligation to the restaurant (for example small family restaurants).

Challenges met

One of the big challenges we met was how to deal with the constantly increasing number of visitors. It demanded adjustments with the offer, number of participating vendors, seating arrangments and many more aspects we had to consider in order to keep the visitors experience positive.

Critical success factors

Support and cooperation with local municipality and it's organizations.

6. MORE 

web-references, documents

http://www.odprtakuhna.si
http://www.instagram.com/odprtakuhna
http://www.facebook.com/odprtakuhna
twitter.com/odprtakuhna
http://www.pinterest.com/odprtakuhna