Stjepan Marijanović wins 15th Pudarijada cooking competition

Stjepan Marijanović won the 15th Pudarijada, a traditional event organized by the ‘Vino-kap’ Association of Winemakers, Vintners, and Fruit Growers in Kaptol. The competition celebrates the end of the grape harvest and honors the historical ‘pudar’ service, which once involved guarding vineyards from pests and thieves.

Marijanović was awarded the prize for the best ‘pudarski kotlić’ (traditional cauldron cooking) by a judging commission. The award was presented by the Mayor of Kaptol, Darijo Lončarević, in the presence of association president Ferdinand Novak. The event included a symbolic grape harvest led by Danica Toman and featured musical performances by Duo DM.

The ‘pudar’ tradition, revived by local winemakers fifteen years ago, maintains historical customs such as using specific tools like trumpets and binoculars. The cooking competition draws inspiration from the historical practice of vineyard guards preparing meals in cauldrons while stationed in the fields.