This year’s edition of the exclusive PROSSECO DOC MAXI ON Cooking Star 2024 regatta in the most advanced marina on the Adriatic brought together top sailors and culinary experts from all over Europe
The starting position and ceremonial opening of the PROSECO DOC MAXI ON Cooking Star 2024 regatta, one of the most special Mediterranean maxi cruiser regattas, went to the host – ACI marina Rovinj. This year’s edition of this unique sailing event once again attracted an impressive fleet of maxi cruisers from all over the world. In addition to the sailing competitions, the program was enriched with the MAXI ON Cooking Star culinary event, where world-famous Michelin chefs demonstrated their culinary skills.
ACI marina Rovinj once again gathered top sailors
This year’s edition of the PROSECO DOC MAXI ON Cooking Star 2024 regatta brought together seven elite sailboats and their crews, and the aforementioned regatta is considered particularly interesting because it combines the gastronomic world with sailing. On that occasion, seven chefs tried their hand at sailing, after which in the evening they demonstrated their culinary skills in preparing traditional dishes. Thanks to the event’s sponsors and partners, the harmony between Italian and Croatian culture was shown. Also, the only female chef in the competition was Floriana Ružić, the talented chef of the Istrian gourmet restaurant San Rocco, and the victory according to the choice of the expert jury went to Salvatore Bianco from Naples, while the honorary jury chose the dish of young Alessandro Rossi from the restaurant Gabbiano 3.0 – Marina di Grosseto .
“For ACI, as the first choice of many world sailors and the largest system of marinas in the Mediterranean, it is an exceptional honor that we once again had the opportunity to host this special internationally recognized event. We are extremely pleased that the city of Rovinj, together with the flagship of our system, the proud holder of the prestigious five anchors, the ACI marina Rovinj, is becoming an increasingly important tourist destination and confirms why it is attractive to millions of visitors annually. By supporting such prestigious events and regattas, ACI additionally highlights the importance of nautical tourism, both for the nautical industry and for the entire Croatian tourism and economy, as well as the development of the entire destination. Ultimately, this engagement confirms our commitment to improving the tourist offer and promoting Croatia as a top destination for sailors from all over the world”, concluded Darko Starčević, regional director of ACI marinas of the Istrian region.
Rovinj marina in the main role of the third edition of the prestigious regatta
“I am extremely satisfied with the result of a two-day trip with sports and culinary delights on the magical coast of Istria. As a Venetian, I feel at home here. Sailing and cuisine have always been my passions and I consider them key ingredients of this prestigious international event. This year we were lucky with the weather – the sea conditions were perfect, and the short list with very similar results testifies to the great preparedness of the crews and ships. The evenings were marked by culinary specialties prepared by the chefs, giving us the opportunity to try top dishes, and I send special congratulations to Salvatore Bianco, who stood out as the winner and will be invited to participate as a member of the jury next year,” said Claudio Demartis, founder of PROSECCO DOC MAXI ON Cooking Star regatta and longtime manager of the Barcolana international regatta.
This unique sports and gastronomic event is hosted by ACI marina Rovinj and ACI d.d. once again confirmed the status that ACI enjoys in the public eye – the largest chain of marinas in the Mediterranean and the absolute leader of nautical trends in the entire region.
Photos: Prosecco DOC Maxi On Cooking Star 2024; Alessandro Suggi Liverani, Giovanni Aiello