Even when I was in primary school, I liked to help with the cooking, both at home and at my uncle’s, who had a restaurant at the time. At that time, I was mainly interested in desserts. My passion for cooking made the choice of secondary school a non-issue. I gained invaluable experience both in practical education and in the Slovenian national team. My path later led me to work at Hotel Evropa under the tutelage of Marek Pavčnik and later at Gostišče Miran under the tutelage of Milan Ojstršek.

In 2015, an opportunity presented itself to create “my” story together with my wife Mateja.

In Gostilna Grič by Andrej Smogavc in Slovenske Konjice, we have been charting our own course in modern and fine cuisine for seven years, which has been quite a change. Over the years we have learned and decided which direction we want to go. This gave us the opportunity to continue our vision in the oldest working restaurant in Slovenia.

My team and I want to bring our culinary experience to a wider range of guests. The focus on the local and the local is a central thread of our creation. Cooperation with local suppliers and produce from our own farm are key.