Ana Roš: Don’t try to be too international—just be yourself

editor editor Photo: VisitChef.com

"When the Michelin Guide was about to come to Slovenia, I told my team that we would either get two stars or none at all. We’re not the type of restaurant for just one Michelin star, but zero was also a possibility. We never grew up with the rules of Michelin or any other international guides. Local ingredients are, in most cases, just a marketing trick," says Ana Roš, one of the world’s most renowned chefs and head of the three-Michelin-starred Hiša Franko.

"When the Michelin Guide was about to come to Slovenia, I told my team that we would either get two stars or none at all. We’re not the type of restaurant for just one Michelin star, but zero was...
“Thirty-five years ago, I asked myself whether I drank spirits just to get drunk, or to share memorable moments and meaningful conversations with friends. Today, I feel this new era has arrived—one...
"At the beginning, it was important for me to learn how to ‘read’ the casks, to understand the wood, and to become a true expert and a genuine rum lover. As an expert, you know that there comes a...
"We want to open the new bar by autumn at the latest. I already have the team and the menu, and even the address. For me, a great cocktail is one you can actually finish—and have no problem ordering...
„It’s more important to know what to do after you win than to be obsessed with winning itself — to use it as a springboard for your next step. If you don’t have that clarity, don’t chase rankings,”...
"We all dreamed of three Michelin stars, but not everyone reached them. And when you do get them, suddenly you start playing defensively - you stop attacking and instead focus on protecting your...
"In keeping with its heritage, Mauritius offers all varieties of rum - Spanish, English, and French. The DNA of our rums is very important, as is the fact that we produce single estate rums, meaning...
"Coffee is an emotion for me. There are more than 700 roasters in Italy, so there is a lot of competition. What sets Caffè Vergnano apart from other Italian roasters is the traditional slow roasting...
"A strong alcohol like whisky will overpower the taste and freshness of the ingredients, while vodka will allow them to stand out. In 1970, we decided that the flavor profile of Finlandia Vodka...