The art of goulash cooking in the Tatras

Cooking of kettle goulash is a traditional finale of the summer in the Tatras where all family members can enjoy themselves, even the smallest ones. A rich additional programme includes a performance of well-known folklorist and ethnologist Likáš Janoška, who is going to introduce traditional crafts and Slovak customs in Štrbské Pleso. Visitors will have a chance to try using a scythe, a rake or a whip. The application and registration period for the Goulash Cup finishes on 20th August. This means gourmets can still decide which side to choose – whether to cook or just taste the Tatra goulash. For more information and the application form, please click HERE. More than 20 teams from the whole country, from Bratislava to Michalovce, have applied for the Cup, however, faithful competitors from Moscow will not be missing this year either. “Based on backstage information of several teams we know they have prepared various roots, herbs, berries and other delicious seasonings that make goulash flawless. However, I would recommend paying attention mainly to meat that should be fresh and chopped. The competitors should not cook ragout or soups. Some of them try to combine an extreme amount of ingredients until it is really too much. Less is more, it applies here as well. The heat intensity is important and so is the temperature of the liquid that goulash is poured with. And of course high-quality ingredients and cooking with devotion,“ says Miloš Červenka, the chef in the FIS*** hotel.
The consistency, clean work and of course the taste will be evaluated. At least 5 portions of kettle goulash must be prepared to participate in the cup. There are two categories – cooks from hotels and gastronomy facilities, and gourmets, non- professionals. Every team will have three members, helpers are allowed as well. The professional jury is composed of Tatra hotel chefs, lay visitors and members of the Prešov Club of Cooks, who shall guarantee objectivity. The Goulash Cup takes place on Saturday 22nd August from 9:00 to 15:00 with the participation of friends from the Harley Davidson No.1 Club Slovakia. Not far from the cooking championships, families with children can enjoy a popular family game called Marmots at Pleso during the whole weekend. Besides tasting delicacies of special gourmet art, small “marmots” can look forward to 25 stations, a big family scrabble, competition disciplines, a maze of marmot dens, testing of marmot senses and various amusing attractions. For more information about the event, please click HERE.
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Tatry mountain resorts, a.s. (TMR) is the leader in tourism in Central and Eastern Europe; it owns and operates attractive mountain resorts and hotels. In the Low Tatras TMR owns and operates the resort Jasná Nízke Tatry and hotels Wellness hotel Grand Jasná, Boutique Hotel Tri Studničky, Chalets Jasná De Luxe, Hotel Srdiečko, and Hotel Rotunda. TMR is also the owner of Aquapark Tatralandia, the largest Slovak aquapark with year-round operation, which besides water entertainment includes Tropical Paradise, a special tropical indoor hall with sea water, as well as Fun Park, and accommodation in bungalows and apartments of Holiday Village Tatralandia. In the High Tatras TMR owns and operates the resort Vysoké Tatry with mountain areas of Tatranská Lomnica, Starý Smokovec, and Štrbské Pleso, which TMR co-manages. In the High Tatras TMR also owns hotels Grandhotel Praha Tatranská Lomnica, Grandhotel Starý Smokovec, and Hotel FIS Štrbské Pleso. TMR also owns a 19% share in Melida, a.s., which leases and operates the resort Špindlerův Mlýn in the Czech Republic. In Poland TMR owns a 97% share in the mountain resort Szczyrkowski Ośrodek Narciarski S.A. (SON) and a 75% share in a company that owns and operates Silesian Amusement Park (Śląskie Wesołe Miasteczko). TMR also owns and leases hotels Slovakia, Kosodrevina, Liptov and Ski&Fun Záhradky a Bungalovy to third parties. By the end of 2014 nearly EUR 200 mil. had been invested into development and modernisation of TMR’s resorts. TMR shares are traded on three European stock exchanges – in Bratislava, Prague, and Warsaw.