A journalist from BBC has also paid a visit to Sevnica's gourmet offer, which has decided to resort to the inauguration of Donald Trump as the president of the U.S. and to his wife as a source of inspiration for the novel local dishes.

"As tributes to the US President /.../ go, it may not be the most respectful. But it is offered with the affection and gentle humour which it soon becomes apparent is a hallmark of Sevnica," writes Guy De Launey.

The presidential burger is served a wooden board, surrounded by circular "dollar fries" and topped with a yellow crust of cheese "hair" which looks as if it might fly away at any moment, continues the British journalist.

"We designed the burger so it would resemble Trump a little bit," admits Bruno Vidmar from Rondo restaurant, adding that "it has hot peppers, because Trump's statements are hot - and it comes with dollar fries because he's a successful entrepreneur."

The next course is a dessert called 'Melanija', which is served in a glass and consists of sponge cake, whipped cream, mascarpone and strawberry puree.

From entire menu to slippers
At a restaurant called Ob ribniku, Mr and Mrs Zalezina have also decided to pay tribute to Melania. They served the "Melanija menu", which comprises three dishes. They do "not feel like a culinary cash-in, just a low-key tribute, delivered with affection", points out De Launey.

Other businesses have also marked the success of their former fellow town dweller. Kruhek bakery has created an apple pie called First Lady - it's adorned with a big M and a small American flag. Julija confectionery offers a cake rich in nuts, while Tončkov dom mountain cabin on Lisca hill has named its famous crepe after Melania.

However, cuisine is not the only market niche. Kopitarna, he town's producer of shoes and slippers, has designed lady slippers decorated with an elegant tassel and named them The White House.

T. H., MMC; translated by K. Z.