What place do local foods such as milk and dairy products have in high-end cuisine? We talked about it with top chef Matjaž Cotič from Karst. He himself believes that the local product is fresher and has a full flavor, which significantly affects the quality of the final dish and the satisfaction of the guest. When creating culinary specialties, it therefore includes local raw materials, and seasonal foods are also preferred. In his masterpieces, we can recognize a respectful attitude towards traditional food, in which the flavors of Primorje, Karst and the Vipava Valley are intertwined.
Matjaž Cotic is a well-known top chef who, together with his son Matija, delights visitors in his restaurant in Kokoška na Karst. It is a famous mountain hut right next to the Slovenian-Italian border, which delights mountaineers with delicious traditional and seasonal dishes. They are an important component of his masterpieces milk and dairy products from the local environment.
Local foods conjure up a sense of home
The choice of local products is not only important for the sake of quality and showing support for local growers and processors, but also has a significant impact on the taste of the final dish. It is fresh milk of local origin full and rich taste. The dairy industry is extremely important for people, the countryside and the economy. In gastronomy, local milk and milk products therefore have an important place, especially among chefs, for whom local production is an important criterion when choosing ingredients.
"In our kitchen, we swear by products from nearby dairy farmers and local dairy producers. Their added value is that they are milk and products fresh, high quality and they have a taste that enchants a sense of homeliness," explains Matjaž Cotič.
Guests appreciate quality dishes made from local ingredients
People are increasingly aware of the benefits of local food, appreciate products with known origins and environmentally friendly production. Restaurateurs are also aware of this trend, and they adapt the menu in their restaurants to the wishes of consumers.
For our interlocutor, such adaptation is self-evident. At the same time, he himself has always sworn by seasonal and local food. He notes that guests are increasingly asking for local ingredients or traditional dishes: "Some guests even ask for the place of production or the name of the producer. I am pleased to note that our guests appreciate the local product. I could say they are more focused on higher quality than price foods. I myself strive to enrich the plate with local seasonal foods as often as possible."
By using local foods, such as milk and dairy products, the catering sector plays a major role in raising awareness of the importance of local self-sufficiency and promoting the consumption of local food. Such food is fresh, as the journey from the grower or producer to the user is generally shorter, and the storage time is also shorter compared to food from abroad. Due to the importation of cheaper foods of questionable quality, they are continuous promotion of use local foods and the promotion of local food is necessary both in the catering industry and among consumers in general, according to the interlocutor.
Innovative dairy products are the answer to consumer wishes
Milk, cheeses, cottage cheese, cream... the range of locally produced dairy products from local providers and on store shelves is wide. Local milk producers and dairies, which produce a variety of dairy products and supply them to consumers and the catering sector, also pay attention to modern trends in the dairy industry. Listening to the wishes of consumers is manifested in innovative dairy products, for example those that are lactose-free. Such products are increasingly making their way into the offer of restaurants as well.
Do you know how to store dairy products?
The widespread use of milk and milk products means that they are often kept in the refrigerator. Have you ever spread butter on a piece of bread, happily bit into it, and then realized that something was wrong with the taste? Milk and milk products are foods that, if stored incorrectly, can spoil quickly and, as a result, destroy the prepared dish.
It is important that all keep dairy products in the refrigerator or in a cold room at a temperature of up to 5 degrees Celsius. To ensure the most suitable storage temperature we use the middle shelves in the refrigerator. Butter is a food that takes on an odor very quickly, so it should always be kept in a wrapper or container. It is also recommended to cover cream, spreads and yogurts with foil. Cheese, which can mold in the presence of moisture, should be stored in containers. Even the permanent milk must always be stored in the refrigerator after opening. By following the mentioned tips, our dairy products will stay fresh for a longer time.
Which dairy product do you prefer? Enjoy your meal, but before that, do something for the common good by choosing milk and milk products - choose local!
We have the best at home
In order to promote the consumption of local milk and milk products, Slovenian milk producers and processors, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, are carrying out a promotional campaign with the slogan "We have the best at home". The campaign under the auspices of the national project "Our super food" is aimed at raising awareness that we have a high-quality offer of milk and milk products in Slovenia. Consumers find products on store shelves with the sign "chosen quality - Slovenia", which is a guarantee for higher quality, Slovenian production and processing, and additional independent control.
