One of the most acclaimed and influential German chefs of today, Tim Raue, whose Berlin restaurant holds two prestigious Michelin stars, recently spent several days immersed in the richness of Istria's flavors and aromas. The purpose of his visit was to film the final episode of the fourth season of his extremely popular travel and culinary show, "Herr Raue reist! So schmeckt die Welt" (Mr. Raue Travels! This Is How the World Tastes). During his stay, Raue explored the very heart of Istrian culinary tradition with undisguised enthusiasm, placing special emphasis on the peninsula's indigenous gems – from the freshness of the sea embodied in fish and shellfish, through liquid gold in the form of superior olive oils, to noble wines and globally renowned truffles.

A Culinary Genius in Search of an Authentic Experience

Tim Raue is not just a chef; he is a culinary institution. His eponymous restaurant in Berlin, located near the former Checkpoint Charlie, is regularly ranked among the world's 50 best restaurants, and his approach to cooking, which combines Asian precision with European technique, has brought him worldwide fame. Known for his uncompromising perfectionism and a bold culinary vision that breaks boundaries, Raue became even more famous to a global audience through his participation in the Netflix series "Chef's Table". His own show, which he has been producing since 2021, takes viewers on journeys around the world, exploring local specialties and the deep cultural stories behind the food. It was this search for authenticity and essence that brought this culinary virtuoso to Istrian soil, in an adventure organized in flawless collaboration with the Croatian National Tourist Board, the Istria County Tourist Board, and the hotel company Maistra as a key partner.

From Dawn in the Lim Fjord to the Heart of the Istrian Forest

Raue's Istrian odyssey began in a truly special way – at the very dawn, on the calm waters of the Lim Fjord. This protected landscape, known for its brackish water ideal for shellfish farming, was the first stop on his gastronomic expedition. There, he joined local farmer Emil Sošić in harvesting oysters. The experience of tasting a fresh oyster, just pulled from the sea, whose flavor carries the essence of the pure sea and minerality, was an introduction to the world of primordial Istrian tastes. He continued his journey deeper into the peninsula's interior, in pursuit of one of its most prized treasures – truffles. Accompanied by the Prodan family from Buzet and their energetic truffle dog named Capo, Raue experienced the centuries-old tradition of truffle hunting firsthand. He immersed himself in the mystical atmosphere of the damp Istrian forest, following the dog's intense search and learning about the symbiosis between man and animal, about the passion and patience required to find this underground nugget of gold. It was an insight into a world that combines nature, tradition, and top-tier gastronomy into a unique experience.

Encounters with Istrian Masters of the Kitchen

Tim Raue's exploration did not stop at the raw ingredients; he longed to meet the chefs who transform these ingredients into art. One of the key stops was a visit to the Cap Aureo restaurant, located on the fifth floor of the Grand Park Hotel in Rovinj, which offers a spectacular view of the marina and the old town. There, he was welcomed by chef Jeffrey Vella, known for his innovative and almost radical approach, where vegetables take the main role on the plate. Raue had the opportunity to taste Vella's delicacies that push the boundaries of food perception, such as watermelon carpaccio or dishes where the flavors of local ingredients are extracted using unexpected techniques. The next stop took him to the lavish ambiance of the Meneghetti wine resort, where he participated with chef Damir in making traditional Istrian pasta. This moment was particularly interesting given that Raue is known in his culinary philosophy for avoiding classic carbohydrates like pasta, but the experience of handmade creation and dedication to detail clearly left a deep impression.

The Pinnacle of the Journey: The Emotion of Sunset and Scampi alla Buzara

The crown of his gastronomic journey, a moment that Raue himself described as a transcendental experience, occurred at the Punta Lina restaurant. Situated right on the rocks by the sea in Rovinj, this family-run restaurant provides an unrepeatable ambiance, especially at sunset. It was right there, as the sky was awash in shades of fiery orange and purple, that he was served one of the most famous traditional dishes – scampi alla buzara. The simplicity of the preparation, which highlights the perfect sweetness of fresh Kvarner scampi, combined with garlic, wine, and breadcrumbs, so delighted this world-famous chef that he unhesitatingly declared the dish one of his "top ten dishes in the world." That statement, coming from a man who has traveled the world and tasted the most exclusive delicacies, represents an incredible recognition of authentic Croatian cuisine and its power to provide deep emotional and gastronomic pleasure.

Istria as a Star in German Media

Tim Raue's entire Istrian adventure was not just recorded for his personal memories. The episode filmed in Croatia will be broadcast as the grand finale of the season on popular German streaming platforms Magenta TV+ and RTL+, as well as on the specialized TV channel RTL Living, bringing the beauties and flavors of Istria to a multi-million audience in one of the most important source markets for Croatian tourism. As further confirmation of the project's importance, an extensive report on his journey was published in the prestigious German magazine "essen & trinken" (Eating & Drinking), one of the oldest and most influential gastronomic magazines in Germany, which has been setting standards in culinary journalism for decades.

Innovative Approach: Croatian Cuisine in Viewers' Homes

This project goes beyond the framework of a classic travel show. Inspired by everything he experienced and tasted in Istria, Tim Raue designed a special menu inspired by Croatia. What makes this show the first interactive culinary show of its kind is the fact that viewers, by simply scanning a QR code displayed during the show, can download the recipes and prepare the dishes the chef created themselves. In this way, a piece of Istrian magic and top-tier gastronomy signed by Tim Raue moves directly from the screen into the viewers' kitchens, giving them the chance to become part of this extraordinary story of flavors.