Championships, lectures and hands-on workshops that drew the largest crowds at the 19th GASTexpo Fairs of Tastes 2026.
Best Pizza Chef of Slovenia 2026
Competition results
Winners of "Best Pizza Chef of Slovenia 2026" 1. Marko Mak
bistro Pajca, Podčetrtek
2. Nemanja Tašković
picerija Vera, Ljubljana
3. Jure Krišto
picerija Valerie, Lavrica
4. Denis Krašna
picerija Peruzza, Ljubljana
5. Alenka Tomšič
Gostilna pri Zotlarju, Vremski Britof
13th International championship “Best Pizza Chef of Slovenia”
THURSDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2026 at 10 am
The championship is open to all pizza chefs and chefs. You can compete as an individual or as a representative of your restaurant.
You can send your applications to: rekar.ales@gmail.com.
It is possible to apply until the places are filled.
Again this year the Fairs of tastes GASTexpo will get its official pizza! For now, it remains a secret what it will be like. Visit us at the fair to pamper your palates together with a mix of real Italian flavors.
Don’t miss the School of pizza, where the greatest Italian masters and world champions in pizza baking will come and share their knowledge and experience. You will learn how to make a good pizza dough, how to make a healthy pizza, the difference between Romana, Napoletana, and Classica, and much more.
Barcaffè LAGS Battle 2026
Details of the LAGS battle 2026 competition are being prepared.
Do not miss the rest of the events at the Barcaffè exhibition space, where you will be able to attend free Barcaffè master sessions.
Barcaffè lectures and workshops
»A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.« (Unknown)
DAILY Barcaffè WORKSHOPS at GASTexpo Fairs of Tastes
The world of coffee is infinite, filled with incredible aromas, rich flavors, unforgettable experiences, and cherished memories. But coffee is more than just a drink—it’s an art, a culture, and a way of life intertwined with stories, experiences, and feelings of joy. Coffee connects people, awakens the senses, and creates special moments we long to relive over and over again.
The World of Coffee is one of the highlights of the Fairs of Tastes, bringing together Slovenian and international coffee enthusiasts—both professional baristas and passionate coffee lovers. The fairground will feature top providers of coffee preparation equipment and accessories, along with a diverse range of products: all types of coffee and coffee substitutes, teas, cocoa, hot chocolate, and many other beverages.
»A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.« (Unknown)
DAILY Barcaffè WORKSHOPS at GASTexpo Fairs of Tastes
The world of coffee is infinite, filled with incredible aromas, rich flavors, unforgettable experiences, and cherished memories. But coffee is more than just a drink—it’s an art, a culture, and a way of life intertwined with stories, experiences, and feelings of joy. Coffee connects people, awakens the senses, and creates special moments we long to relive over and over again.
The World of Coffee is one of the highlights of the Fairs of Tastes, bringing together Slovenian and international coffee enthusiasts—both professional baristas and passionate coffee lovers. The fairground will feature top providers of coffee preparation equipment and accessories, along with a diverse range of products: all types of coffee and coffee substitutes, teas, cocoa, hot chocolate, and many other beverages.
Adding special value to the event are the free Barcaffè master sessions, led by renowned experts in the art of LATTE ART and LAGS certification. Aleš Gorenc from Barcaffè won the L.A.G.S. golden cup and became the 13th person in the world to do so.
They will reveal tips for achieving the perfect foam texture, uncover the secrets of Latte Art, and teach you how to create captivating coffee art that will impress everyone. These sessions will elevate your coffee experiences to an entirely new level, providing you with valuable knowledge for preparing coffee at home like a professional café.
Don’t miss this opportunity to become a true coffee master! Spend an unforgettable day in the world of flavors and coffee, where you’ll discover the latest trends, refine your skills, and enjoy the many experiences this remarkable beverage has to offer.
For any additional information, write to :
Adding special value to the event are the free Barcaffè master sessions, led by renowned experts in the art of LATTE ART and LAGS certification. Aleš Gorenc from Barcaffè won the L.A.G.S. golden cup and became the 13th person in the world to do so.
They will reveal tips for achieving the perfect foam texture, uncover the secrets of Latte Art, and teach you how to create captivating coffee art that will impress everyone. These sessions will elevate your coffee experiences to an entirely new level, providing you with valuable knowledge for preparing coffee at home like a professional café.
Don’t miss this opportunity to become a true coffee master! Spend an unforgettable day in the world of flavors and coffee, where you’ll discover the latest trends, refine your skills, and enjoy the many experiences this remarkable beverage has to offer.
For any additional information, write to :
School of pizza
»Viva la Pizza! Pizza Romana, Napoletana, Classica! Focaccia, Bruschette, Ciabatta!«
Enter the world of pizza
Did you know that the term pizza is over 1000 years old? The first known mention of the word dates back to 997. The GASTexpo’s Pizza Fair does not yet have such a long tradition, but in recent years it has established itself as one of the key elements of the entire event. It opens the door to the pizza world, which is certainly one of the most dominant in the culinary world.
WORKSHOPS and SCHOOL OF PIZZA
The greatest Italian masters and world champions in pizza baking will come and share their knowledge and experience at the workshops. They will provide a special School of Pizza for the visitors, where they will learn how to make a good pizza dough, how to make a healthy pizza, … And the difference between Romana, Napoletana, and Classica. The professionalism and relevance of the workshop is also guaranteed by the certificate of attendance that participants receive at the end.
…Hurry up to register – the number of places is limited!
13th CHAMPIONSHIP “BEST PIZZA CHEF OF SLOVENIA”
(Thursday 5 February 2026 at 10 am)
Again this year the Fairs of tastes GASTexpo will get its official pizza! For now, it remains a secret what it will be like. Visit us at the fair to pamper your palates together with a mix of real Italian flavors.
Every year, the COMPETITION for the »Best pizza chef of Slovenia« is very eagerly awaited, and this year it is being held for the eleventh time, with international participation. Pizza bakers and chefs can enter the competition as individuals or as representatives of their pizzeria or restaurant.
*places are limited, so don’t hesitate to register!
You can send your applications to: rekar.ales@gmail.com
Gastronomy workshops by HoReCa Center
»Education is all a matter of building bridges.« (Ralph Ellison)
Step into the World of Culinary Excellence at the HoReCa Workshops at GASTexpo 2026
The HoReCa workshops at GASTexpo 2026 will transport you into the realm of culinary brilliance, where expertise, innovation, and passion for gastronomy come together.
At these free workshops, you will have the opportunity to enhance your skills, learn new cooking techniques, and discover modern trends in gastronomy. Renowned Slovenian culinary masters will, over four days, unveil the secrets of creating ice creams with stunning decorations, perfect tartares and soups, advanced frying techniques, innovative sous vide methods, and much more! All workshops will take place using state-of-the-art catering equipment, elevating your culinary skills—whether you are a beginner or a professional.
The HoReCa Center, which unites leading Slovenian manufacturers and suppliers of catering equipment, has been setting high standards in gastronomy for years. Join us from February 4th to 7th 2026 at their exhibition space, where their workshops will combine practical knowledge, inspiration, and quality.
Applications at: komerciala@gast.si
Beer and cheese
"The man who invented beer was very clever." (Plato, ancient Greek philosopher)
Daily beer workshops
The offer of beers in Slovenia is rich and diverse. They are mostly made from barley, wheat, rye, corn or oats. This drink, created by fermentation of starch, is considered one of the most popular in the world, due to its variety of taste and tradition. In Slovenia, we have more than 70 breweries that produce beer not only for the Slovenian market, but also for foreign countries.
First hand knowledge — about beers, about cheeses and what makes the pairing so divine.
The company Pivovarna Pelicon d. o. o. invites you to their showroom to a unique workshop combining craft beer and boutique cheeses — Pir & Sir
We invite you to a unique workshop combining craft beer and boutique cheeses — Beer & Cheese
DATES: EVERY DAY FROM 1 PM TO 4 PM
REGISTRATION REQUIRED:
At the Gast Expo in Ljubljana between February 4 and 6, 2026, we will present a fusion of boutique beer and cheeses from the Vipava Valley — Pivovarna Pelicon has joined forces with the boutique cheese factory Golden Ring Cheese to offer you a unique taste experience that will delight your taste buds.
Be the first in Slovenia — combining beer and cheese is still an unknown area in our country, the Pelicon Brewery and the Golden Ring cheese shop are pioneers of this type of culinary offer and they will be happy to share this knowledge with you.
You will be presented with three levels of pairing — from gentler ones between basic beer styles and well-known cheese styles, to medium-intense combinations with complex beers and fine cheeses, all the way to more intense pairings that occur between whiskey barrel-aged beers and unique cheeses matured for a year or more.
First-hand knowledge — about beers, cheeses and what makes the pairing so divine, you'll get first-hand from the brewers and cheesemakers themselves.
We invite you to join this extraordinary culinary adventure that promises a multi-sensory journey that you won't find anywhere else!
*places are limited, so don't delay in applying!
Workshop schedule
| WEDNESDAY | 4. 2. 2026 | from 1 pm to 4 pm |
| THURSDAY | 5. 2. 2026 | from 1 pm to 4 pm |
| FRIDAY | 6. 2. 2026 | from 1 pm to 4 pm |
Pivovarna Pelicon d. o. o.
Lavričeva 1, 5270 Ajdovščina
