Trnič Cheese on every dining table (SI)

In tourism, as in society in general, there is a trend in seeking local specialties, originalities and roots, reviving forgotten traditions and customs, understanding lifestyles of our ancestors, all with the aim to recognize authenticity of a certain place, strengthen its image and gain competitive advantage. Tourism destinations tend to offer guests innovative, authentic services that result in new experiences and new skills.

- to position Kamnik on the culinary map of Slovenia
- to list traditional Kamnik dishes
- to find a dish that will act as a flagship

1. in the frame of Taste Kamnik project, a range of typical Kamnik culinary specialties is compiled and seven dishes are shortlisted, amongst them Trnič Cheese

2. further potential of Trnič is recognized and Trnič Cheese on Every Dining Table project is outlined

3. contact with the only Trnič cheesemaker

4. tradition of Trnič making passed on to other cheesemakers

5. Trnič registered as intangible cultural heritage (in Slovenia)

6. protection of geographical origin of Trnič (in process, EU level)

7. visual imagery, brand and special packaging

8.  story, promotional material, communication guidelines

9. Festival of Trnič Cheese - Kamnik chefs make Trnič dishes

10. establishing and developing contact with restaurant owners who would offer Trnič dishes

11. Trnič available selected stores across Slovenia

12. involving Trnič in other Taste of Kamnik activities

About Trnič: Trnič is a pear-shaped hard cheese produced on Velika planina, Mala planina and Gojška planina in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Made from cottage cheese, cream and salt, Trnič is decorated with special ornaments that are stamped into the cheese with relief carved wooden sticks or strips, i.e. seals. It is used in the daily diet, usually as an extra treat to the dishes.

Story: Back in the 19th and early 20th century, Trnič Hard Cheese was mainly made by the herdsmen. By tradition herdsmen would have bestowed Trnič Hard Cheese to their beloved as a proof of love and fidelity in the autumn, at the end of grazing season. They were always made in pairs – two clumps were decorated with the same ornaments. Herdsmen kept one of them and presented the other one to their beloved, who kept them for several years. If she accepted his gift, this meant that she agreed to his courtship.

Snovalec 2014 - award for most promising tourism ideas
Golden award at Delicacies of Slovene farms event (Ptuj)
Recognition of trnič and its use in gastronomy by renowned Slovene chefs

- to find makers Trnič Cheese
- to raise awareness about Trnič in local and national environment
- to promote Tnič not only as a souvenir but also as a dish
- to attract local chefs to the project
- to first create and later satisfy demand
- to include new cheesemakers in the process (trnič production is very demanding)
- to assure cheesemakers are implementing HACCP standards
- to build distribution and sales network across Slovenia

- to find a unique story with cultural relevance
- to have a vision
- to gain support of ethnographers, chefs, cheesemakers, herdsmen and tourism professionals
- to create demand

http://en.kamnik-tourism.si/index.php/taste-kamnik/

http://en.kamnik-tourism.si/index.php/taste-kamnik/most-typical-kamnik-dishes/trnic/

http://en.kamnik-tourism.si/assets/PDF-FILES/OK-a5knjizica-final-press3mm.pdf