On 21 March, five of our young people took part in the culinary competition for people with disabilities “Cupi’s Spoon,” which is held at European level for the third consecutive year.

And we came back with excellent news! Stani won first place in the “Dish” category with her flavourful honey and cheese fritters, which impressed the jury, and Julian triumphed in the “ Cocktail ” category with his signature rum cocktail.

This victory is not accidental – for several weeks in our Social Rehabilitation and Integration Centre, preparations have been underway. The young people have been experimenting with recipes, perfecting their techniques and rehearsing their performance for the jury. Every dish and drink was carefully tested and refined to perfection!

Thanks to occupational therapy which is an integral part of our work, cooking is present in the daily lives of our young people as a valuable tool for developing independence and confidence. Curiosity about food, responsible handling of produce, and growing fruits, vegetables, and spices are essential components of the occupational therapy programs at our centres. Home-cooked meals, and especially their preparation and serving, are a way of expression and an incentive to achieve increasing independence for youth with disabilities.

Stefcho, who reached the final last year and took part in the competition again, told the jury: “Thanks to the foundation I am not giving up. I know they are all proud of me!”

Besides the culinary challenges, the day was filled with lots of music, dancing and positive emotions. The excitement of presenting to an audience and a jury, the aromas of the delicious dishes and the feeling of shared joy made the event unforgettable.

And in October our finalists, Stani and Julian, will travel to Zagreb for the international round of the competition. There they will cook side by side with professional chefs, participate in a street food festival and – no doubt – make many new friends. We can’t wait to tell you more!