The foundations of the Delicacies of Dolenjska project were laid by the DROT several years ago through the Country Bunch project, which established that the Dolenjska region lacked tourist products and its own trademarks and also needed a comprehensive approach to promotion and development.

In the two years of its existence, the Delicacies of Dolenjska project has linked 15 suppliers that offer their own high-quality and innovative, but traditional, products. A visual identity was created and a common brand developed. The selection of appropriate agricultural products was carried out in cooperation with culinary, wine, ethnology, beekeeping, architecture and other experts. The providers were carefully selected to ensure that their products offer quality, tradition and innovativeness, and have a local character, convey a message and guarantee product origin. The inclusion and relevant requirements are laid down in the Rules on the collective brand 'Delicacies of Dolenjska' and the conditions for granting the right to use it. The number of suppliers has been increasing steadily, expanding the range of products on offer. Špela Smuk, who manages the project, is convinced that, given the vibrant interest and the variety of excellent products, the increase in the number of suppliers will at least triple this year.

The distinguished Slovenian ethnologist Janez Bogataj is also participating in the project, and according to the DROT, his contribution has been indispensable. Bogataj wrote stories to match every product, which not only adds rich content, but also conveys important ideas about Dolenjska. The DROT greatly appreciated his professional guidelines on rules and norms. Bogataj believes that the Delicacies of Dolenjska project is a welcome new idea that supports efforts to increase the visibility of Slovenian cuisine; he explains that this project goes beyond the mere offer of particular products at points of sale: it marks the beginning of a shift in the entire Dolenjska culinary area. ''The Delicacies of Dolenjska is a project so thoroughly planned that no other project in Slovenia can match it as regards this type of culinary content,'' Bogataj stresses.

The best of…
Venison salami and other dried meat products, goat cheese with truffles and other home-made cheeses, elderberry syrup, dried porcini mushrooms, smoked apple vinegar, liqueurs, various types of honey, jams, dried fruit and home-made biscuits can be found among the Delicacies of Dolenjska; pubs and restaurants also offer numerous less famous traditional dishes, drinks and wines of Dolenjska. The products are offered for sale in special wooden sideboards exhibited in the most popular tourist sites in the region, in selected pubs and restaurants, in a mobile shop in the Land of Hayracks in Šentrupert and also in an online shop. According to the DROT, the range will be developed, upgraded and enriched.

''I trust that all of us who come from Dolenjska – people, companies, local communities and hospitality and tourism service providers – will identify with the Delicacies of Dolenjska, take them for our own, reach for them often, proudly serve them to our guests and thus convey an important message about Dolenjska,'' says Špela Smuk, the manager of the project.

In cooperation with its partners (the Institute for Sustainable Development of Temenica and Mirna Valley, Esplanada, the Land of Hayracks in Šentrupert, Rakar Inn and Interflash Tourism), the DROT carries out activities, seeks new providers and manages the selection of high-quality products. A permanent Delicacies of Dolenjska Culinary Group has been established to assess the products, and Tanja Lešnik Štuhec will set up a system of granting the right to use the collective brand in the coming months.

The organisation of the 1st 'JAM 2013' International Festival was among the most important activities. This year, the sweetest festival in Slovenia will be held on the first Saturday in October; the collecting of samples for assessment begins in August.

Visit Dolenjska
''In this part of Slovenia, nature and people create delicacies that arrive at your table, acquaint you with original tastes and bring a new perceptive,'' says Mr Bogataj in the catalogue presenting the Delicacies of Dolenjska, which not only taste, but even look delicious and tempting, and he adds that these tasty and original dishes will not only bring happiness, but also guide us through the daily life and festivities of the people responsible for their quality.

''The Delicacies of Dolenjska are built on solid foundations and, together with experts, we intend to develop them further. We trust that the Delicacies of Dolenjska will make Slovenia proud and that the exclusive offer will be recognised as protocol, business and personal gifts and experience and be perceived as a message of quality sent by our country,'' said Špela Smuk, the manager of the project, expressing her expectations.

Danila Golob, SINFO