Dragica Lukin - Gault&Millau Special Award for the Promotion of Croatian Gastronomy and Patisserie

Dragica Lukin is one of the best ambassadors of Croatian gastronomy and patisserie in the world. Today in Italy, tomorrow in Albania, the day after tomorrow in Ukraine, then back home, in Umag, cheerful, energetic, devoted to her job, she kept her enthusiasm. Member of the Croatian Culinary Academy and President of the Croatian Confectionery Federation, Dragica Lukin is a licensed judge at numerous international confectionery and culinary competitions. When she is in Umag, she runs a pastry shop Villa Soši together with her son. It is a cult pastry shop in Umag, located within the market where locals drink their morning coffee. Behind Dragica Lukin is an enviable business career. She says that the most important lesson she remembered from her younger days, which as a young pastry chef she received from her older colleagues, is that she has to work very hard all her life, if she wants to achieve something. "It's always on my mind," he says, and laughs. The proof that she has achieved “something” is in dozens of awards, charters and recognitions that she has received in her long career. She is especially pleased with the title of International Knight of Culinary Arts of Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean. She remembers gladly that as a mentor of the Croatian culinary team she won a bronze medal with her team of pastry chefs at the 2010 World Cup in Luxembourg. There was also the longest cake in Croatia, a creamy 152m cake that was laid on the Croatian flag. With all her medals, professional accomplishments, dedication to work and unique talent, what makes her special is her willingness to help her younger colleagues, share her knowledge, support and advise them. With her pastries and her big heart, Dragica Lukin has conquered the world.