MICHELINE GUIDE TO BELGRADE

GASTRONOMY

THE FIRST MICHELIN GUIDE TO BELGRADE

A list of 14 restaurants in Belgrade for 2021 was released on the official website of the prestigious gastronomy guide Michelin in early December, with two of them being particularly notable

Text by: PETRA VASILJEVIĆ

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he first selection of Belgrade restaurants, which were evaluated in accordance with the general and uniform criteria of the Michelin guide, was published on the website of this prestigious gastro guide on December 7. The choice of the restaurants was made by anonymous and independent inspectors, and the cuisines range from classic and authentic to modern and creative, from Serbian to Mediterranean to Japanese.

“The geographical location of Serbia between East and West, and the richness of its exchanges throughout history – has created a strong and varied culinary culture, where Turkish, Hungarian, and other Balkan influences abound. The Serbian landscape, full of rich and fertile lands, supplies a wonderful range of high-quality produce all year round – while, throughout the ages, Serbia has also been known for its viticulture. The result is a culinary scene that is vibrant, popular and accessible to all”, according to the guide.

The selection included 14 Belgrade restaurants, two of which are particularly prominent. Iva New Balkan Cuisine, presented as a “neighbourhood cafe-restaurant,” has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand label, as a restaurant of top gastronomic quality that offer excellent value for money. “In this modern-looking restaurant, gourmets can enjoy traditional, wholesome Balkan recipes that are subtly refined,” as it is stated. Another restaurant, Bela Reka, is highlighted for its commitment to sustainability and promotion of local farmers and producers.

Main selection recommended by the Michelin inspectors included also: Salon 1905, Gušti mora, JaM, Enso, Homa, Magellan, The Square, Legat 1903, Ebisu, Comunale Cafè e Cucina, Mezestoran Dvorište i Langouste.

01. Salon 1905 02. Bela reka 03. Comunale 04. The Square 05. Mezestoran 06. New Balkan Cuisine 07. Magellan 08. Homa 09. JaM 10. Legat 1903 11. Ebisu 12. Langouste 13. Enso 14. Gušti mora

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PROMO

THE EXPANSION OF THE RETAIL NETWORK

More than 45 Maxi stores were opened and renovated in 2021, and Jan-Willem Dockheer, CEO of Delhaize Serbia, which includes recognizable retail banners Maxi, Mega Maxi, Tempo, and Shop & Go, says the company plans to continue in that direction next year

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ontinuous investment in expanding the retail network, continuous development of top quality offers and services, along with an omnichannel approach to business, is a strategic model of Delhaize Serbia, says its CEO, Jan-Willem Dockheer, adding that the company is pleased with the results achieved in the year.

You made a significant investment in developing your retail network in 2021. Will your shops be at some new addresses next year?

— Opening new shops, but also renovating existing ones, with a special focus on a sustainable business model, is the basis we have been striving for in 2021. Maxi supermarkets have become a favorite neighborhood choice for citizens across the country, and our plan is to have more than 500 stores next year. We know where we need to expand based on past experience. Our teams are always on the move. Even while touring cities and meeting with mayors, I discuss the needs of local communities and the path of urban development with them. Our strategy model is continual investment in the expansion of the retail network, ongoing development of a high-quality offer and services, and an omnichannel approach to business, and we are quite satisfied with the results obtained in the previous year. More than 45 businesses were opened or refurbished in 2021 alone, implying that modern customer purchasing conditions are improving on a regular basis. This will be a path that we will follow next year with the national launch of the digital loyalty card “My MAXI” and the opening of a modern e-commerce warehouse that will be a great support for the further development of the MAXI online store.

What is your strategy plan for the year 2022?

— Customer trust is our imperative. We are also proud to be able to confirm the quality of our products to our customers in the complete supply chain. Our strong strategic commitment means that, in addition to maintaining a high level of quality, we are continuously working to improve the process in order to provide customers with a wide range of excellent items at all times. The level of quality of our services and our ability to anticipate consumer needs will experience an unprecedented expansion. In addition to being a leading retailer, we are becoming a technology company that provides business support for processes along the whole value chain, making it the best one in the e-commerce sector. We also provide personalized service to ensure that our customers are satisfied.

Will you try to keep the position “The King of Fresh Food“?

— Absolutely. The MAXI bakery will be recognized by the best bread and pastries prepared in our stores. Our consumers can also count on quality fresh meat of domestic origin that has passed all the necessary controls. We want to give them a clear picture of the controls from farm to table, and the perfect quality and freshness of fruits and vegetables from all over Serbia will be our commitment in the coming years.