Croatia hosts regional cake festivals celebrating traditional pastries

The first edition of the Okusi Međimurja food festival was held at the Skelarska House in Sveti Martin na Muri, attracting pastry lovers to judge and showcase local desserts. A two‑category competition named the finest cake and the most affordable cake was judged by a mixed‑age panel. Anika Dvanajščak won the finest cake prize while Božena Haller‑Vršić took the award for the cheapest cake, which used salt instead of sugar.

Meanwhile, the 28th Slatka Istra sweet festival took place in Vižinada, inviting home bakers to submit up to eight traditional Istrian pastries for evaluation. Participants received a symbolic €10 fee per entry, and the event featured workshops and tastings on 14 August, continuing a long‑standing tradition of preserving regional confectionery heritage.