New York, New York, 2017 – Croatia's long history with gastronomic excellence rooted in its connection to an abundance of exceptional ingredients from its land and sea was recently recognized by the Michelin Guide with the country's first ever Michelin star. The prestigious recognition was awarded to restaurant Monte, in Rovinj, located in the Istrian region known for its culinary offerings of seafood, truffles and exceptional wines.

Croatian products have delighted foodies from all over the world for some time from award-winning olive oils, decadent white truffles, salt harvested from time-honored traditions, to its major contribution to the wine industry, as evidenced with the Tribidrag (Zinfandel), which has been verified as originating from Croatia. Food and wine enthusiasts lucky enough to experience Croatian cuisine quickly acknowledge that it rightfully deserves a place among the other top food destinations around the world, with its use of locally-sourced ingredients and influences from surrounding regions including Italy, Greece, Turkey and Eastern Europe.

The country's first ever Michelin star will now surely place Croatia on the map and solidify its place as a major culinary destination for travelers around the world. In addition to Monte, the Michelin Guide has also released it list of other notable Croatian restaurants throughout the country that also found their way into the Michelin guide: http://bit.ly/2kzpaoV

"We are proud that a Croatian restaurant was recognized for its culinary excellence and other notable restaurants in the country have been recommended and listed in the Michelin Guide. Not only is this recognition a validation of our exceptional cuisine, but it also further showcases Croatia's world-class tourism offering as a travel destination. This recognition is an excellent incentive for the country's tourism industry, especially with restaurants being representatives of our country and culture through food and wine. Croatia's advantage is its accessibility to fresh ingredients throughout the year, which provides the opportunity for creating attractive menus year round," said Minister of Tourism Gari Cappelli.

"The first Michelin star and inclusion of other restaurants in the Michelin Guide is a great recognition for the entire Croatian tourism sector, and there is a new dimension to promote our beautiful country, for both wine and gastro tourism, and for Croatia as a whole. We are particularly excited with the first Michelin star awarded to the Monte restaurant, for which I congratulate the owners, chef and entire staff for the level of excellence to receive such a prestigious recognition. Michelin's system is a complex process: this systematic policy of monitoring is kept secret, which makes such a recognition even more valuable. All in all, this is a great opportunity to further develop and promote the Croatian culinary scene and will be a great motivation for all chefs," added Director of Croatian National Tourist Board Ratomir Ivicic.

# # # 

About Croatia

Stretching along the Adriatic Sea, just a stone's throw from Central Europe, Croatia is a country defined by a rich cultural legacy. Today, history perfectly combines with a youthful spirit and vibrant energy that prove irresistible to those seeking diversity. Breath-taking natural beauty, endless coastlines, diverse gastronomy, adventure, sports and wellness, can be enjoyed all year round. Whether exploring the old city of Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, island-hopping around the Split archipelago, truffle hunting in Istria, paragliding across the Plitvice Lakes, delving into Zagreb's streets and hidden passages, birdwatching in Kopacki rit, partying the night away at Zrce beach in Novalja or taking time out with the family on Zlatni Rat beach, there truly is something for everyone in Croatia.

For more information, visit: http://croatia.hr