On November 4th, 2019, students of the Department of Tourism organized a gastronomic event entitled World of Tastes and Fragrances of the Nitra Region within the subject of Gastronomy, led by Ing. Ľudmila Mazúchová, PhD. The invitation was accepted by such honored guests : habil. PaedDr. Žofia Bárcziová, PhD., Head of the Department of Tourism FSŠ PhDr. Zuzana Palenčíková, PhD., Members of the Department of Tourism FSŠ, but also other guests from the home and external environment.

The event was launched by our classmates Noémi Szilva and Martin Bohuš, who accompanied us throughout the whole program, as well as music performances by students of the Department of Music – Simona Kačmárová, Alena Dušová and Lenka Gálisová led by Mgr. Iveta Štrbák Pandiová, PhD. After the first music block, sommelier with many years of experience Tomáš Vyšváder had the floor. Dragged us into the history of wine from the 16th century until now. Then we went to the wine tasting of the well-known Slovak producer. During the tasting, the sommelier explained to us which elements should be noticed in the wine: fragrance, viscosity, color and taste.

This year’s gastronomic event was also enriched by the invited regional producers. Interesting information about coffee we learned from Mgr. Ľubici Korgovéj. This event was also visited by Mgr. Bronislav Tomka. From him we found that mead is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages, this drink has been typical of Slavic nations since the Middle Ages. It is the oldest producer of mead in Slovakia and the owner of the first Mead Museum in Slovakia. The last guest of the regional producers was also the first producer of liquid chili in the former Czechoslovakia, Mr. Miroslav Skovajsa, who told us how he started doing business and how he developed his product.

The culmination of the event was the presentation of regional dishes of students of the Department of Tourism, prepared for example: carnival cones, pork rind biscuits, cherry strudel, cheesecakes, beer pancakes, traditional bread pudding, potato pancakes, Nové Zámky slices, or apple pie. During the presentation, students presented the dishes, some of them approached the traditions associated with their preparation. After the main program, guests and students were invited to taste specialties.

Each of the invited guests had the opportunity to enjoy this unique atmosphere and fully experience the gastronomic beauty offered by the Nitra region and its surroundings.

Text: Yurii Yevdokymenko, 3RCR

Photo: Katarína Bukovanová, 3RCM