Despite the fact that her plans, like those of many other people, were affected by the corona crisis, Nikolina landed a new opportunity for cooperation pretty soon, and she is really looking forward to it. “I’m sure that, due to the circumstances, most people’s plans for this year changed, just like mine. Still, an opportunity presented itself for me to work on a project in Dubrovnik with Chef Darjan Urdih with whom I have collaborated before, which was an excellent experience. As the crisis hit the tourism sector pretty hard, he decided to open a small local store called Oaza – the Finest Grocery Store to support family farms, and olive and vine growers, whose offer would also include workshops and tastings, as well as sale of homemade bread.”
Although she had an opportunity to study and work abroad thanks to the scholarship received from the Budi Foodie foundation and Raise the Bar project, Nikolina sees her professional future in Croatia. “I want to develop professionally and build a career in Croatia, because I believe that there are many professionals here from whom I can learn,” said Nikolina with determination.
The Raise the Bar scholarship program will continue this year as well, and it will feature a novelty. More precisely, the project team plans to establish a foundation through which the scholarships extended to young talents in gastronomy will be funded. Interested applicants will be able to start submitting their applications for Raise the Bar scholarships in the autumn, and information about the upcoming activities planned under this comprehensive CSR program is available on the Raise the Bar website, and the project's Facebook and Instagram profiles.
“I would recommend to all young people with an ambition and wish to learn to apply for this scholarship, because by doing so they can open a new door for themselves as well as give an extra boost to our gastro scene,” concludes Nikolina smiling.