From the 13th to 14th of October, visitors to Otepää will be caressed by culinary and musical experiences. Top chefs, caterers, and food producers from Southern Estonia will set the table with dishes characteristic of the region. The food is prepared from local produce, supported by the knowledge of previous generations and modern culinary wisdom. Alongside refreshments, visitors can enjoy a cultural programme by the best performers of Southern Estonia. The menu is enriched by guests from Otepää’s sister counties, and in addition, performers from Europe and more distant places will introduce their culinary cultures.
The chefs will offer uplifting taste experiences in various teams, and many dishes will remain after the festival to delight food enthusiasts in local restaurants. Entertainers not only grace the stage but also step into the kitchen, preparing delicious meals for festival guests under the guidance of professionals. The street market where visitors can sample and purchase local products offers an abundance of choice.
Living in the countryside, gathering and growing one’s own food is becoming increasingly popular in Estonia, and there is still much to learn from our ancestors. Pühajärve Beach Gourmet invites people to explore Estonian rural culture, environmentally friendly lifestyle, and the fascinating heritage of forestry in a modern context. Several of our everyday foods and methods for acquiring them may seem exotic elsewhere in the world: for example, mushroom hunting is prohibited in many countries. Therefore, the focus of the festival is on the delicious mushrooms from the forests of Otepää and Southern Estonia, but other local ingredients will also be also present on the table. Let’s who what nature can offer us if we know how to preserve it!
The driving forces behind the event are made up of an experienced event organiser and chef, Ago Arro, a local gourmand and the head chef of GMP Pühajärve Restaurant, Koit Uustalu, and today’s cultural leader of Otepää and seasoned chef, Jorma Riivald
