How did the restaurant Bikofe grow into a castle and the castle into a truck? Bikofe is the beginning of a restaurant journey that continued over the years at Kodeljevo Castle, this time with a quality offer of food and cultural content. The original idea was to introduce something interesting cultural into the story of Ljubljana...
In what way did the Bikofe bar grow into a castle and the castle into a truck?
Bikofe is the beginning of a culinary journey that has continued over the years at Kodeljevo Castle, this time with a quality offer of food and cultural content. The original idea was to introduce some interesting cultural program into the history of Ljubljana, and when it was no longer possible to hold exhibitions of a suitable scale in Bi, not to mention concerts and other events, we looked for a new location. The truck enters the scene when a certain cultural event, of which flavors are also a part, spreads to unpredictable locations, to city parks or to nature.
Hidden truck - kitchen some kind of hidden weapon?
All weapons are the entire kitchen: from appliances for thermal food processing, to refrigerators and freezers, via the dispensing counter and all accessories for perfect hygiene. Like any other good gadget, this one also opens up a whole universe of new activities that can be done with it. For example, we can take it to all major events, almost anywhere.
From which fascinating places did the truck send a postcard to the Castle in the past?
So far, we have not gone abroad as a team, but we have been to many fascinating places within Slovenia. One of the last experiences is a family birthday party in the Karst.
Does the truck have a superhero-style name, for example, "chevapmobile"?
Not yet, but if I had one, I'd rather it be Mick. To some extent, the name is also connected with the wish of me and head chef Ozren to bring a wider selection of food to larger events, where we can mostly only eat čevapcic and pleskavice, the entire range that we get in a quality healthy restaurant: everything from simple pasta or risotto, slightly more traditional dishes such as polenta, to more exotic and less familiar ones. The idea is slowly being realized. Baking pancakes at this year's Second Band is a step towards that. A good range of food raises the level of the event, spices it up.
Are the world of flavors linked mainly to summer days and outdoor surfaces shaped by trends?
Despite the fact that the entire team behind the offer is educated a lot about food, we mainly follow the trend for a healthy diet consisting of quality ingredients. In principle, we do not look at annual or shorter-term trends. At least I never emphasize them, because I find phrases like new cuisine close to political platitudes. It is better to consistently build on quality and variety.
What do you think is a good catering or outdoor event experience?
In any case, it should include more things besides good food. The food must be connected with the entire concept of the event and with the environment in which it is created. One of the more interesting experiences was visiting Ora-It a few years ago, when we arranged a space in one of the halls of the Tobacco Factory according to his plans. In it, we served food exclusively in black and white. We were also joined by a team of bartenders who took care of cocktails in the same color combination. At the opening of the joint premises of Kompas Design and Soncek.net, we served guests in an industrial atmosphere in the heating plant. The food was served on a table covered with black polyvinyl, decorated with stones and iron bolts.
What do you pay the most attention to at events where another catering company takes care of the service?
When I'm at other catering events, I pay the most attention to myself, to indulge in the event and dare to try the dishes on offer, especially those that I don't know yet. Of course, it's hard for me to avoid comparisons and to watch out for some new stunt, either in the cuisine itself or in a good service idea.
Where will you serve over the summer? Do you combine vacation with education?
Over the summer, as usual, Petra, Lana and Lukat will go somewhere towards the sun to recharge the batteries. This year, Luka and Lana will learn to surf the waves, and we will try to learn as much as possible about the inhabitants and their culture. Traveling always gives us a lot of fresh energy and we usually bring home a bunch of new books, as well as some idea to spice up the price list at Bi-ko-fe or Kodeljevo Castle.
