Meet
Kornelija and Morana
Kornelija and Morana, a mother-daughter duo, hope to offer simple, authentic dishes from the Island of Hvar. So that people visiting them get a feeling that they are at their Nonna’s house, tasting the very essence of the island and its gastronomic history. Kornelija worked as a HR professional in Zagreb for many years, and now that she is retired, has decided to move to the island thanks to her family roots and heritage. She is so excited to pursue her passion for cooking and hosting, in the middle of her family field in a UNESCO-protected area. Kornelija will be joined by her daughter, Morana, who is currently working as a Project Manager in the IT sector. Together they wish to share with traveler’s the local Hvar cuisine, introducing them to ingredients and herbs that are native to the island. All ingredients used in their cooking are either homegrown or sourced from local farmers and fishers.
What to expect
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
In-home meal:
(4-16 guests)
The location for your farm-to-table meal in Hvar is amidst a field in UNESCO-protected Stari Grad Plain, a beautiful outdoor settling overlooking the garden and fields. Start your experience with some herb brandy (homemade traditional Hvar brandy aged with aromatic herbs from Kornelija's field) or grape brandy or cherry liqueur or elderflower juice. Then you will share a Hvar special platter, so that you can get to sample some hommemade and local produce - goat cheese aged for several months in extra virgin olive oil, salted blue fish, olives, capers, and/or pickled sea flowers drizzled extra virgin olive oil. You will also get to taste the family's extra virgin olive oil, served along with some homemade bread. For your mains, you might be served pasta with tomato sauce (fresh tomato sauce stewed for hours with garlic, onions, and herbs, garnished with goat cheese) and a traditional Hvar octopus stew (slow cooked and stewed octopus with aromatic Hvar apices, filled in pasta or cuttlefish black risotto (slow cooked and stewed cuttlefish with aromatic Hvar spices, served with rice and butter), the main dish depends on the availability of fresh seafood. End your meal with a dessert such as a lemon olive oil cake (moist and fruity dessert cooked with the family's extra virgin olive oil and lemons from Dol village) and a glass of red or white wine, while watching the sunset surrounded by incredible rural scenery.
Cooking experience:
(4-16 guests)
Your Hvar cooking class starts with a garden tour, you will have the unique opportunity to handpick your own tomatoes and aromatic herbs, learning about traditional organic farming. You will be guided through the field, learning about different types of tomatoes and herbs, native to the island, part of the landscape is unchanged since ancient Greek colonization (4th century BC). Then proceed outdoors for your step-by-step cooking class with local drinks, storytelling, and insight into Hvar’s rich cultural and agricultural history. It is a 1-hour hands-on cooking class where you will learn to make Hvar salsa. The Hvar salsa will be made from scratch and will be used as a part of two additional dishes on the menu - octopus stew and bruschetta. Kornelija will guide you step-by-step to make the salsa using ripe tomatoes, herbs, garlic, onions, and local olive oil. You will chop and mix the ingredients to create a flavorful salsa, balancing the freshness of the tomatoes with the aromatic herbs. Through the menu, we will show how the tomato salsa naturally comes together with a eggplant casserole and handmade pasta filled with slow-cooked octopus stew.
Notes:
1. All aperitifs and a glass of wine (red or white) are included in the cost of your experience. For non-alcoholic beverages, they offer a homemade elderflower juice and still water.
2. They promote sustainable tourism and regenerative agriculture, and their family-made products (olive oil, rakija, teas, cheeses, spices) are available for purchase.
3. DIETARY ACCOMMODATION: The main course 'Traditional Hvar Octopus Stew' may be replaced upon request with Black Cuttlefish Risotto for guests who do not eat octopus, or Red Beetroot Risotto for vegan or vegetarian guests. Gluten-free and lactose-free adaptations of the entire menu are available upon request.
Languages spoken:
English
Sample menu
Traveler reviews
For my mom’s birthday, I planned a special day at Poje Hvar, and it turned out to be more magical than I could have imagined, thanks to Kornelija. From the moment we arrived at her UNESCO-protected family estate in Stari Grad, Kornelija’s warmth and hospitality made us feel like old friends rather than guests.
She guided us through every step of making traditional Croatian salsa—a flavorful and versatile sauce we paired with octopus and crispy fried polenta cakes. Strolling through her garden, we handpicked fresh ingredients for our meal, all while Kornelija shared fascinating stories about the history of Stari Grad. The experience was more than culinary; it was cultural and deeply personal.
But what made the day truly unforgettable was how Kornelija went above and beyond to celebrate my mom. She surprised her with a homemade olive oil cake, baked just for the occasion, complete with a thoughtful birthday banner. It was such a heartfelt gesture that brought my mom to happy tears.
We also tasted Kornelija’s homemade Rakija, olive oil, and goat cheese, alongside wines from her neighbor, all of which showcased the flavors and traditions of Hvar. By the end of the day, we didn’t just leave with full stomachs—we left with full hearts and a newfound connection to this beautiful place and its people.
If you’re looking for an experience that’s authentic, intimate, and utterly unforgettable, Poje Hvar with Kornelija is it. Her kindness and dedication to sharing her heritage are unmatched, and I can’t wait to see her again when our paths cross in Zagreb.
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Monica
December 05, 2024
