Gala dinner for the 100th anniversary of the Esplanade

An evening of top culinary art took place on June 10, 2025, at Zinfandel's restaurant at the Esplanade Hotel in Zagreb, where an exclusive gala dinner marked the centenary of this icon of the hotel industry and an institution in the hospitality sector. The gala dinner was organized in cooperation with the gastronomic association Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Croatia, which brought to Zagreb chef James Knappett, one of the most prominent British chefs of today, and holder of two Michelin stars.

At the center of the culinary spectacle was James Knappett, chef de cuisine of the London restaurant Kitchen Table. Knappett prepared an eight-course culinary journey for the guests of this gala dinner, where each plate was a symphony of flavors, textures, and artistic expression. Chef Knappett, along with his team of chefs and Esplanade's chef, Ana Grgić Tomić, and her extraordinary team of sous chefs, transformed the finest seasonal local ingredients into enchanting culinary masterpieces.

The evening began with a glass of Jagunić champagne, with which the guests toasted the Esplanade’s centenary. Each course that followed was carefully thought out and masterfully executed — from oysters with Japanese parsley and jalapeño, to chicken with rosemary and mascarpone, to scallops with caviar and hazelnuts, to the exotic notes of lobster with curry, mango, and peanuts. Agnolotti pasta with goat cheese, peas, mint, and truffles continued the series of refined aromas. At the same time, lamb with asparagus, black garli,c and sheep’s milk yoghurt rounded out the main culinary act of the evening. For a sweet ending to this gastronomic symphony, guests were served a dessert of Zagreb strawberries with elderberry and black pepper, as well as a fine canelé with notes of orange, providing the perfect conclusion to the evening.

This gastronomic journey was complemented by a carefully designed wine pairing by Mario Bednjanec, sommelier of the London restaurant Gymkhana**, which also holds two Michelin stars. The dishes were accompanied by wines from top Croatian winemakers Jagunić, Stina, Braje, Markus, Benvenuti, Matošević, Krauthaker and Knebu from Tomislavgrad.

Photos: Arhiva hotela Esplanade Zagreb