“Gezina Fišijada ’’ Osijek-One Written by James Mac Donald This past weekend in tvrđa on January 14th was the place to be for Inside-Osijek as it was a great competition for making fiš paprikaš or otherwise known as Fish stew. The black caldrons were hung over the open fires in Tvrđa as the smell lingered throughout the old fortress in Osijek. Taken place in front of a restaurant called Slavonska kuća (Slavonian house) on Firingerovoj Street. There is a lot of history about the restaurant Slavonian house as it was founded in 1994 by the late Geza Gudlin. The tradition continued by Tomislav Baric who helped organize the event as a memorial of the well-known man Geza Gudlin. Hence the naming event after him calling it “Gezina Fišijada ’’. What was different was there was a catch or twist as one well knows. This may come as a surprise for most Croatians as to win first place one would have to make the worst ever fiš paprika. ![]() To all those that were not able to make it Osijek’s well known photographer and videographer was on scene to capture the essence of the event. Zoran Cindrić (Zoran Osijek) The crowd: There were a total of 50 or more registered teams at this year’s memorial of FIŠIJADA. It started all in the early morning on Saturday, as there was lots of cheer and good humor of joking around. The event attracted many people from different walks of life from soccer stars, athletes, musicians and politicians. With the classical sound of tambourines bands to entertain the competitors and the citizens of Osijek. Many patrons of the event had a chance to get a free taste of fiš paprika. Why such an event: The organizer Tomislav Barić and owner of Slavonska kuća (Slavonian house) explained the reason for holding the now popular event. This event was to honour a man best known as Geza Gudlina who was a legend to the city of Osijek. To remember a man in good spirits who made his mark on the River Drava. He was best known for his recipes and the way he prepared them. Such was his infamous fiš paprika. However Geza had tragically passed away 12 years ago. The organizer Tomislav said "I do not know why the people would want to win this award for the worst fish as at Geza everything was upside down. And it would be a little bit different this year, Mr. General Ante Gotovina and Tomo Bralić from band “ Klapa Intrade” have sent us one big tuna which we will later roast and to share our citizens in honor of Gezi, general and Klapa Intrade. You knew Geza, as he would decide what was crucial for worst fiš? So I guess that's good. This would've been bad for him as he was the criterion (Standard judgement) for fish, it was his guess that the temperature and nothing more. "(Quote translated from source http://republika.eu/novost/60911/ekipa-roberta-spehara-osvojila-titulu-najgoreg-fisa) In Osijek competitors had a chance to make their mark in the history of wininning first place for “Gezina Fišijada ’’What made this competition so unique is that in order to win you had to make the worse fiš paprika. For most Croatians to make the worst fiš paprika dish would be one sad day. It was all in good fun as many people gathered around to enjoy the sights and sounds of this worst cook off. Did we forget to mention the aroma and the distinct odor of fiš paprika that could be smelled almost a kilometer away? (Maybe a slight exaggeration.) Slavonia and Baranja gastronomy is known for its famous dish of fiš paprika that originated in Hungary. In memory of Geza Gudlin founder of Slavonska kuća (Slavonian house) located in Tvrđa Osijek. Written by James B. Mac Donald Photo/Videographer: Zoran Cindrić (Zoran Osijek) For more information: https://www.facebook.com/pg/slavonskaku
1 Comment
5/22/2018 02:18:08 pm
we haven been there for more than 20 years ago in this restaurant,
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