Archive for the ‘Gastronomy’ Category

Herald News: Károly Gundel Prize Winners of 2019.

 

Károly Gundel (1883-1956) established the Károly Gundel Prize in 2014, with the involvement of professional organizations, in the memory of the iconic restaurateur. The award will be given to individuals who are exemplary followers of Károly Gundel’s career and gastronomy in the Hungarian hospitality industry. The prize is awarded to those who have been outstandingly successful in the Hungarian hospitality industry for at least 25 years, have a solid professional history and an exemplary career, cherish the historical traditions of Hungarian hospitality, support the young generation’s professional development, and contribute to in the promotion of Hungarian hospitality. Recognition can be granted to the best in the hospitality industry, up to three per year.

The Industry Council publish the names of the winners each year, so we learned this morning’s press conference at the Hungarian Museum of Commerce and Hospitality in Óbuda. The date of  its notification is connected to the birthday of Károly Gundel  – 23rd of September.

There was 13 professional organizations, delegates from 3 institutions, the Gundel Restaurant and a representative of the Gundel family to decide on the nominees for this year’s winners. This year there were 14 people who were in the nominations. According to the consensus of professional organizations and institutions, this year’s winners were Szabina Szulló and Tamás Széll chef and Tibor Meskál. So that means next year Szabina Szulló and Tamás Széll will mark the Banquet Lunch at the November’s Gundel Prize.  This year’s winner to celebrate the 125-year-old Gundel Restaurant, the chef award winner, in this case is Tibor Rosenstein takes care of it.

The Banquet Lunch celebration event  with the awards has been changed and the new venue will be at the Kopaszi-Gát Gulf House Event Center – Budapest.

Organizing committee of the gala lunch will be Lajos Bíró (Bock Bistro), László Kovács (MVI president, La Fiesta Party Service Kft. József Balázs (Tacuba Café) and Bíró Bernadett (professional secretary of MVI).

On this event will be held out the  “Taste Guide” booklet which covers over sixty colleagues and friends recalling their memory moments in common with illustrated with pictures and recipes of own homemade recipes, is edited: Zsuzsa Gyimesi.

Update Aggie Reiter

A 100% Beatles Experience from Liverpool @ Budapest – Be a “Day Tripper” – 2019

 

First edition of the International Beatles fest downtown Budapest in Hungary devoted to the Fab Four!

Saturday – October, 5. Analog Music Hall – 2 p.m.  – 10 p.m.  – District, XI., 8. Kondorfa Str.

Sunday –  October 6. Hard Rock Cafe – 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. – District V., 3-5. Deák Ferenc Str.

The format of the festival is designed to create a vibrant, fun experience by offering top entertainment

Alongside THE BLAKCBIRDS, we hear the world’s premier John Lennon entertainer, as well as domestic Beatles fan stars like Petruska, Zoltán Czutor, István Mikó or drummer András Márton.

One of the world’s top 5 Beatles Tribute bands, is celebrating their 15 anniversary. THE BLACKBIRDS  band was brought under the roof by the Hungarian Beatles Museum on the Egri Road in the City of Eger. THE BLACKBIRDS was the first Hungarian band to join the Beatles Festival in Liverpool which open the gates for Hungarian bands. Since then, they’ve traveled around the world and made it to almost all Beatles festivals.

They have toured in Liverpool five times already. Now they wish the to bring the atmosphere of these festivals to the Hungarian audience, so for the time being do not have to travel to Liverpool to see a world-class Beatles festival.

Sergey Radchenko – Ukraine – He is an ambassador to the Beatles Story Museum in Liverpool, and the patron of the Beatles Weekend in Budapest. Arriving to Budapest  from Liverpool the designer for John Lennon’s iconic cap – Ms.Helen Anderson. Ms. Anderson is the creator of the iconic “Lennon cap.” She went to the Liverpool College of Art with John and Cynthia (Lennon’s first wife). Helen Anderson became a successful fashion designer in the ’60s, and John Lennon began wearing genuine leather hats she designed in 1964, among others in ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ movie. To higher lighten the program of the festival – the world number one John Lennon rapporteur from Chicago – Jay Goeppner  will join the stage with The Blackbird.

Naturally, the Hungarian Beatles celebrity fans wouldn’t  miss this chance to be present, therefore „Come Together”  with the winner of the Hungarian Beatles Talent who will also have the opportunity to perform on stage. The festival’s other big super concert namely Abbey Road 50, which will feature a concert-like presentation of this year’s 50-year-old album will be heard  by The BlackBirds with Iván Vitáris from (Iván & The Parazol). 

During the Beatles Weekend Festival having a full-day Beatles Marketplace with contemporary records, rarities. And if it weren’t enough to celebrate the Beatles – Band of the 20th Century, the shop of the Hungarian Beatles Museum – from Egri Road is coming to Budapest full of original Beatles souvenirs.  The Vintage ’52 Sound Service and VOX will be holding an exhibition with rare and new amplifiers and musical instruments.

Those who are curious of having to taste of The Beatles yummies will have a chance to taste plenty food by Sgt. Pepper’s Cafe and Bar. The place is located next to Margaret Island, at 4. Jászai Mari Square. The Hungarian Beatles fan base, opened two years ago in Budapest. Beatles songs fill the air and naturally crunchy-munchies namely taken from the Beatles tunes. Also  by  RomKafé will be offering 3 handmade limited edition Beatles hot chocolate on the first day.

Enjoy the Beatles Festival, the music, the atmosphere from the time of the British invasion. May dress in the wild fashions of the late ’60s, just as the hippies, flower power, bell-bottom jeans, headbands and granny glasses. Roll along through the Octopus’s Food Garden, and check out the activity at the other stages

Get your tickets through: https://tixa.hu/beatles_weekend_2019

 “Come Together Right Now” … 2 days Beatles Festival @ Budapest – Hungary 2019.

Update by Aggie Reiter

Herald News: Judafest Community Festival @ Budapest.

September, 20-22. 2019.
District V II., Klauzál Square and surrounding @ Budapest
http://www.judafest.org

Budapest’s District, VII., has always been what is today considered one of Europe’s must-see urban destinations with an unmatched atmosphere filled with living Jewish and multicultural tradition dated back to several hundred years.

The annual Judafest Community Festival celebrates the Fall Feasts is coming soon in September, presented by JCC Budapest — Bálint Ház celebrating the traditional Jewish Fall Feasts, Judafest Community Festival in and around Klauzál Square features revives the unique heritage of Budapest’s Old Jewish Quarter with a broad line-up of lectures and discussions, urban walking tours, cultural performances, and concerts, cultural gigs, s. Visitors also get the opportunity to explore flavorful authentic, yummy Jewish dishes and not just to look but can purchase collection of craft arts, plus children are offered several activities throughout the festival.

At the Bálint House – Hot Jazz Band & Eszter Bíró Concert – September, 22. – 8.p.m. – 9.30 p.m.
It’s a rare occasion for a Kossuth-winning Hot Jazz Band to host a singer with pleasure with Esther Bíró. Eszter is also known for her theatrical (Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, Blown by the Wind, Mozart!) And film (Miracle in Krakow) and child records (Animal Music ABC 1-2, Eraser) etc

Pre-tickets at the Bálint House: 4600HUF. Pre-order tickets online: https://tixa.hu/hotjazzband-biroester.  On the day of the concert: 5000HUF.

A truly multicultural get-together, Judafest Community Festival year-by-year attracts several thousand local and foreign visitors, giving them the chance to meet up with old friends and new people. It is also a family affair and to explore places that previously haven’t had in mind.

Detailed program (Note: some programs require registration – please email info@judafest.org by September, 20. till Noontime to register for specific programs)

See full detailed week-end’s program:  http://judafest.org/judafest-community-festival/

Update Aggie Reiter

 

Quick Herald News – Easy Rider – 50th year Anniversary! – Urania National Film Theater @ Budapest

Easy Rider – 50th year Anniversary!

Budapest Classic Fim Marathon – 2019

„A story of a Man looking for America and couldn’t find it anywhere„

Uránia National Film Theater –

Wednesday, September, 10.  – 9 p.m. – Ceremonial Hall

Adventure, Drama / USA, 95 min, 1969
in English with Hungarian subtitles

Screenplay by: Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper
Director of photography: Kovács László
Music by: Roger McGuinn, Steppenwolf, The Byrds
Cast: Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson, Antonio Mendoza, Phil Spector, Mac Mashourian, Warren Finnerty

Through the open country and desert lands, two bikers head from L.A. to New Orleans, and along the way, meet a man who bridges a counter-culture gap they are unaware of. The drama represent the young adults what freedom means!

There are probably many who way-way back have seen this movie in the late ’60s, in those dark age in Hungary.  As time goes by and the clock’s hands fasten up, here it is to watch again the adventure drama for the good old sake for the elder folks, but the young adults may have a glance on what kind of world shown through the lens of  Dennis Hopper – director, were challenging.

The Easy Rider – 8 awards and 14 nominations. Academy Awards, USA 1970 – Oscar: Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Jack Nicholson – Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Material Not Previously Published or Produced: Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Terry Southern.

Update Aggie Reiter

Friday on your mind … „Kapj Rá„ – „Get it” … Fish … Fish … Fish!

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Halkakas (Fish Bistro)

District, VII., 36. Dohány Street – Budapest

During the morning hours the press individuals were invited to hear about the latest campaign regarding fish consumption in Hungary – namely „Kapj Rá„ – „Get it”

Péter Ondré, Managing Director of the Agricultural Marketing Center and Ferenc Lévai, spokesman for MA-HAL, spoke at the press conference. According to the Agricultural Marketing Center, download of the application can solve different tasks, solve fish and fish related questions, find interesting information about fish, how to prepare fish dishes, and watch recipe videos, said Péter Ondré. In addition, he reported „Kapj rá” “Get it!” has developed a mobile app that users can download for free.

Ferenc Lévai, member of the Hungarian Aquaculture and Fisheries Trade Union (MA-HAL), said, „Kapj Rá” – “Get it!” primary task of the campaign is to increase domestic fish consumption. The campaign highlights the importance of a healthy lifestyle and conscious nutrition, and shows consumers that fish are lagging in the popularity race when the food industry started to market cheap molluscs and covered with breadcrumbs stuffed-processed products from chicken, pork and other meat but not fish. In addition, fish has traditionally been considered the food of the poor, and as a result prosperity has been out of the kitchen by the variety of fish dishes as well. He added that Hungarians eat 5.5-6 kilograms of fish/person/year, while the EU average is around 20 kilograms and the continental record in Portugal the folks eat 56 kilograms/year.

In the future, his goal is to invite customers at least once a week, let’s say marking it on Fridays for fish lovers to eat fish! Hopefully this campaign will go far beyond Budapest and throughout Hungary restaurants will place on their menus Fish Friday  …   „Kapj Rá ” – ” Get it!

At the Halkakas Fish Bistro you are guaranteed the fish ingredients exclusively obtained from Hungary. The bistro only use cooking fresh fish, no deep-frozen. At the end of the press conference individuals were invited onto trays filled with fish delights. The smoked carp pâté, the catfish gyros, the unmatched carp crisps and the carp tempura where all from Hungary’ rivers, ponds and lakes. We swam as fish in the water with the delightful tastes!

Update and snaps Aggie Reiter

“This is Africa” Community Day @ Budapest 2019.

Join the full day festival on September, 29. 2019 in Budapest between 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. at the Stefánia Palace – (Honvéd Cultural Center), District, XIV., Stefánia Street.

This is Africa Community Day has been held during every autumn in the past years.
Peek into the programs:

Instructive, interesting, entertaining, adventurous and scientific lectures. Unheard savannah tales for children, exciting exotic plays-fairs, handcrafting.

Interactive afro dance,  afro jazz, mask collection, African themed paintings exhibition, movie screening,

FREE Admission. Everyone is welcome no age limited!

Update Aggie Reiter

Chulent Festival  @ Budapest 2019.

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The 5th Annual Chulent Festival is soon to fill all along at District, VII. Kazinczy Street  –  Budapest.

There is no place better to have a tasty Chulent – Budapest

Sunday, August, 25.  11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Almost anyway around the world folks can find a place to eat Chulent. It is one of the most popular Jewish dishes from the ancient times.

The slow-cooked Jewish chulent can be prepared either from beans, other legumes, smoked goose breast or beef, eggs or onions.

The Jewish culinary festival will be organized in the heart of the Jewish District for the fifth time, by the Chabad Lubavitch congregation and the Unified Hungarian Jewish Congregation (EMIH).

Cholent speaks everyone’s language, whether you are Hungarian or Foreigner, Jewish or gentile, young or old. The strictly kosher festival will present the Chulent  variations of several countries.

In addition to enjoy the taste of the Chulent and other emblematic Jewish foods along with colorful additional festival programs such as: live music concerts … so beside gastronomic experiences, Jewish tunes can be enjoyed thanks to the Klezmer bands playing music thoughout the day. For children theater shows awaits the little ones. For young adults, friends and families fine time to get into the mood, having a splendid day with little Israel here in Budapest.

No need for entry tickets … it is free of charge.

Update Aggie Reiter

Hungary’s Cake of the Year – 2019

Winner cake of 2019 - Lace of Our Lady and the Little Chesnut cake

Hungary’s cake of the year happens once a year. This year the Hungarian Confectioner Craftsmen Corporation invited entries for the Hungarian Cake of the Year contest for the 13th time and as a tradition Hungary’s  Cake of the Country as to celebrate the National Holiday at the 20th of August. Thirty-one cakes were in competition and were prepared in their creations in front of the judges, who then after rated them based on professional aspects.

The finalists, this year’s  was winner was the “Boldogasszony Csipkéje” (Lace of Our Lady) Confectionery by Norbert Tóth the pastry chef from Dunaföldvár.  The lace of Our Lady is a real raspberry delicacy. More than half a pound of fruit. It consists of soaked sponge cake, raspberry and white chocolate cream, ganache with lemon and basil and raspberry jam.

Lace of Our Lady

Hungary’s free-sugar cake was revealed to be the winner of 2019 the “Kicsi Gesztenye” (Little Chestnut) cake by pastry chef László Gyuris from Szeged. The basic flavor of the cake is the chestnut, and also pleasantly sour cranberries and hazelnut crunch.

Little Chestnut Cake - Free sugar

Get ready for the real Hungarian heavenly delicious cakes. Surely if you are visiting, staying in Hungary at the time being the mouthwatering cakes cannot be missed to try this delicacy.

Are you a real gourmet? Surely if you are in Hungary you should try this delicacy.

In earlier years, the more modern French line dominated, but now the domestic taste was the winner at the jury.

For the 4th time was organized together with Hungary’s cake of the year the competition for traditionally made sourdough bread. Only those bakers were in competion making any bread without additives agents. Apparently, on the 20th of  August  celebrating Saint Steven Day – Hungary’s King.  This year’s harvest with the new bread as well. The winner was with white bread Szerencs Tarsoly – development of Pedró Bakery – made of wheat flour, durum flour, special shape, crispy, hand-made wheat bread.

 

Update Aggie Reiter

Ten days to come – Valley of Arts Festival – Hungary

This year Valley of Arts Festival is celebrating its 29th year in continuing the event as the largest multi-art event in Hungary!

Valley of Arts  event will take place between July, 19-28. 2019 at three neighbor villages of Kapolcs, at Taliándörögd and at Vigántpetend.

All the events and concerts listed in participating can only be accessed by visitors with valid wristbands. A number of stages differing in size and genre at these venues.

Just for the notice … the Valley of Arts reserves the right to change the event line-up in certain cases. For instance, in case of bad weather, events will be stopped and will be continued once weather conditions allow it.  To ease information of the programs  whereabouts,  can be followed by mobile app to receive the latest Valley updates. English-speaking Valley staff will be on the spot for guidance if needed. For locals and tourist visiting the event for several days keep in mind to book accommodation in advance at szallas@muveszetekvolgye.hu. There are  nearby accommodation capacity but they  are limited, make sure you book in time. The catering is easy to trace as well. To get around with the “Csigabusz – Csiga Bus” as the official Valley transportation, which runs all day between the Valley and nearby villages.

Use of the “Csiga” bus is free of charge having valid wristbands, follow the buses within the app as showing the exact time of running. For further information visit http://www.muveszetekvolgye.hu. The website has English language information as well.

Update Aggie Reiter

HELLO SOUTH-EAST HUNGARY … SZÁNK-FRANCISCO!

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Visiting SZÁNK and KISKUNMAJSA. The terrain is located in the Danube-Tisza area.

Excellent day trip for relaxing and spending quality time with family and friends.

SZÁNK is a cute village. In fact, it is one and a half hours by car from Budapest, and reminder …there are a few kilometers in the last section, where you have to get around the potholes, but not inaccessible. However, if you want to get here by public transport, it is good if you pack a bunch of sandwiches, the fastest way from the capital is to go for three hours with two transfers. In any case, the village is worthwhile to visit.

SZÁNK, one of the jewels of Bács-Kiskun County, was a dead-end village long ago.

KISKUNMAJSA is still an undiscovered surrounding for many locals and foreigners visiting Hungary.

A short history of the enormous bath of to-day … residents were looking for oil in the area, instead thermal water was found. In the vast landscaped area of the Kiskunmajsa, the whole family can find the right time from enjoyments to relax. Spa, thermal and water parks, a children’s pool, great buffets and comfortable armchairs, shaded cafes, as well as an artificial sandy shore lake awaits the visitor. Among the special outdoor pools, sea waves imitating pool, also colorful water slides is very tempting for young and elder folks.  Indoor Spa 2 Pools, Thermal Swimming Pool and Thermal Pool, which is very cozy and popular especially throughout wintertime.

Kiskunmajsa’s largest restaurant was launched in 1991. From 2019, Lópofa Inn (Csarda) has been working as a family business. Already arriving to the entrance gate, can see that the place was an old horse-riding venue, now-a-days, has become an oasis of tranquility. Large garden with foliage-shaded trees with playground. The shady mini fenced poultry yard, which is also home to the peacocks, is loud from cacao crusting, which is part of the impeccable rural feeling. Cockroach dishes are served, which are partly made from local ingredients. Crispy and delicious, baked bread on the table with an appetizer, had a waffle of local cheeseplate, then came the „Legényfogó” i.e. Bachelor Catching Soup and if that wasn’t enough to fill the stomach, came the wooden plate of all sorts of meat and dressing. The open-air furnace baked countryside cakes are worthwhile to taste. Last but not least come the local Pálinka. In summer, a series of events are offered to visitors such as holding event: weddings, family  gatherings, anniversaries there. From Thursday to Saturday, live music performances are held in collaboration with the Jonathermal Spa and Adventure Bath. Along the side at the Lópofa Inn, there is a wonderful lavender plantation where the fragrant and magnificent purple carpet in blooming of lavender bushes catch the eye. Next to the lavender plantation a huge “HoneyHotel” was designed to the bees.

Road to Historical Heritage Park … The Visitor Center levels are now fully accessible with elevators and ramps. The continually updated, interactive exhibits of the Rotunda are living sources of information that enhances a deeper understanding and a ride back in time.

A tunnel to the Past … Kiskun Memorial Site “The History of the leader of Szánk was presented by Zsolt Patkós, Mayor of Szánk, commemorating the appearance and settling of Cumans the former settlement of Szánk in Hungary.

In 2019 open with its main building of the visitor center takes the visitors back into the past centuries with the help of modern methods. The thematic pathways display with historical accuracy the ever-changing living-space of the Cumans integrating into the Hungarian people. In the cinema room the exhibition commissioned by the government of Szank with the help of the Katona József Museum of Kecskemét. The experts participating in the project were Zoltán Boldog, Zsófia Lukács, Márta Mészáros, István Pánya, Szabolcs Rosta and Szabolcs Varga.

Visiting the Kiskun Memorial Park relics excavated archaeological site on the sledge-like experience show tourists visiting the memorial site. The building can be visited by guests accomodations fully suitable for barrier-free use. Visitors can learn about the changes in the life of the cohorts by presenting four types of houses and related lifestyle changes. Such as:  round-shaped, yurt-like, Árpád Age House, XIV-XV. century mansion house, XIX century farmstead. At the exhibition space present four Cuman period of their history,and at the video room switch back through the time tunnel:  Cuman early history of early Hungarian relations …  Cumanians  moving in the Kingdom of Hungary, Mongol invasion … Classical Middle Ages, chair kun system … Turkish occupied areas , Redemptio. Mayor also expressed his plans in the sabretache, but  for the time being having horse, dog and baranta shows, Kun-quiz, kun-test, gastronomy programs, tastings the Past Life of SZÁNK!

Next station: 1956 events  … The exhibition space commemorates introduce the former 1956 events. In addition to presenting historical history, within commemorates local and nearby people from the time being.

After the history travel, the next station was to the Sweet Tooth House… Sophisticated hand-made cognac sour cherry at Szánk, freshest heavenly fragrance that tastes enthralled. The Taste House produces daily an average of 2500-3000 cognac sour cherry., so said Mária Orbán Rizelné as she was preparing the cognac sour cherry sweeties. Rum aroma of matured spirits, is covered with chocolate. All made by hand and using special machines. Once tasted the these cognac sour cherry covered with Belgium Choco.  Who once taste the Szank sweeties will remember by the taste where it is from! Heavenly delicious, be sure to taste it once you visit Szánk!  Was not just the guided tour exciting, but can watch how to make your own craft cognac sour cherry. The house is designed to showcase baking compote cooking, jam making, and look at the technique to cheese making and the real tension strudel dough here. At Szánk the local cognac sour cherry is used as a trademark of the settlement! Disgusting, that these sweeties are renamed and soled in several places of Budapest.  The original Szánk cognac sour cherry is renamed in Budapest as “Retro cognac sour cherry sweetie 😦

Wild Tobacco Honey … Honey from SZÁNK is nationally renowned, very fine and of good quality. For over 11 years the Honey and Cherry Festival has been organized and locals and visitors from far are pleased to join the event. On the spot at the House of Flavors, thanks to the Csontos beekeeper and his son introduced the way honey spinning is done. In between he spoken about the bees living gathering the nectar to collect the wild tobacco honey on the unique settlement that only grow at Szánk had tasting of the of the fresh wild tobacco honey… no wonder the bees like it!

 Update and snaps Aggie Reiter