“My expectations for this tournament are high, I plan on giving it my all so that I can show my region in full glow, to make people happy and proud of their culture. I also expect to learn from this experience and sharpen my skill even more, so that one day I could finally achieve my dream of becoming a world class chef myself,” states Laura Škarica, chosen to represent Central Dalmatia, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2027, at the 10th European Young Chef Award.
Laura Škarica comes from Podgrađe, a small village in Croatia. Her passion for culinary arts blossomed during high school, where she participated in several local competitions, culminating in a standout performance at WorldSkills Croatia.
Inspired from an early age by watching her father and grandmother in the kitchen, Laura considers cooking her sanctuary—a space where creativity meets precision. Receiving praise for her dishes fills her with joy and fuels her drive to excel. Aspiring to become a world-class chef, Laura aims to honor global traditions, master diverse cooking techniques, and collaborate with international culinary talents.
Laura views food as a personal medium of expression and gratitude, deriving deep satisfaction from enriching others’ lives through her craft. Competing on this global platform offers her a valuable opportunity to refine her skills, embrace new cultures, and proudly represent her native region.
At the 2026 European Young Chef Award, Laura will present Poljička inspiracija (Poljica Inspiration), a modern, deconstructed homage to the traditional Poljički Soparnik, a savoury pie typically prepared during times of fasting, such as Christmas Eve or Good Friday. Placing particular focus on the swiss chard as an ingredient, the inspiration behind this dish was to take the humble, rustic flavor profile of the Dalmatian hinterland—historically considered “peasant food” and elevate it to the level of modern fine dining. The innovation lies in the complete transformation of textures while strictly preserving the authentic, indigenous flavors.
About IGCAT’s European Young Chef Award
The European Young Chef Award is an annual competition organised by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Art and Tourism (IGCAT) that gathers young culinary talents from the awarded and candidate European Regions of Gastronomy. Selected each year through local contests, finalists to the European Young Chef Award compete by innovating traditional recipes from their regions using local ingredients.
The 10th edition of the European Young Chef Award is organised and promoted by IGCAT and hosted by Gozo, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2026. The competition will be held at the ITS-Institute of Tourism Studies on 29 November-2 December 2026.
About the World/European Regions of Gastronomy
World/European Regions of Gastronomy, guided by IGCAT, are working together to strengthen food security through the celebration of distinctive food cultures; create employment by stimulating creativity and gastronomic innovation; nourish children and adults through culinary and cultural education; driving environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors; supporting balance and sustainable tourism practices; highlighting and supporting expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practices; and contributing to community health and well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance of protecting and promoting distinct regional food, culture, arts and natural assets as part of sustainable and balanced tourism and development strategies. This is essential to safeguarding our planet, health, wellness and local economies.
IGCAT is a non-profit institute established in 2012, working with regional stakeholder consortiums in the fields of gastronomy, culture, arts and tourism. It counts on the expertise of a worldwide network of experts and works in partnership with specialised intergovernmental organisations.
IGCAT founded the World/European Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the World/European Regions of Gastronomy Platforms. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the World Food Gift Challenge, the Top Websites for Foodie Travelers Award and the international Food Film Menu.
