About Us

Historical Fusion of Cultures

Banat’s history is a story of borders turned into bridges. From Ottoman strongholds to Habsburg experiments, from fertile fields to industrial innovation, diversity shaped identity. Multiculturalism, civic spirit, and entrepreneurship remain core values, sustaining Banat’s role as a European model of resilience, openness, and creative coexistence. 

Banat’s Strategic Vision

Banat’s vision builds on heritage, innovation, and resilience. We aim to preserve culinary traditions while positioning Banat as a European gastronomic destination known for authentic flavors and cultural richness. By strengthening small producers, short supply chains, and the HoReCa sector, we foster a vibrant food economy. Cross-sector bridges between agriculture, tourism, education, and culture stimulate inclusive growth, while training and youth pathways enhance professional skills. Our programmes promote healthy lifestyles, sustainability, and biodiversity, deepen cross-border cooperation with Serbia and Hungary, and unite urban and rural communities. Together, these actions shape a resilient, internationally recognised Banat brand. 

Feeding the Planet

Create a digital catalogue of traditional and innovative Banat products, prioritising sustainable production methods. 

Develop international partnerships for regenerative agriculture and gastronomy knowledge exchange. 

Implement pilot projects to reduce food waste in HoReCa and communities. 

Innovation, creativity and jobs

Establish the Banat 2028 Gastronomy Hub, a co-creation space for chefs, producers and culinary designers. 

Launch an incubation programme for gastronomy and agri-food start-ups. 

Stimulate the creative economy via gastronomy and arts/design events. 

Education for the future

Integrate sustainable gastronomy into school curricula and Vocational Education and Training (VET). 

Create gastronomic summer schools for youth with universities/NGOs. 

Promote food education for consumers (healthy, responsible choices). 

Balanced and sustainable tourism

Develop themed gastronomic routes combining food with nature and heritage. 

Implement “Banat 2028 – Authentic Experience” certification for restaurants/guesthouses. 

Promote slow tourism and farm-to-table experiences. 

Urban–rural link

Create modern urban agri-food markets with direct producer participation. 

Organise itinerant culinary events that connect communities. 

Support local co-operatives for fair, effcient distribution. 

Well-being and healthy living

Promote balanced diets inspired by Banat traditions. 

Run awareness campaigns on diet’s impact on physical & mental health. 

Introduce healthy menus in school canteens and public institutions. 

Our honorary

Ambassadors & Chefs

Chef Miroslav Romanov

Chef Miroslav Romanov is recognised for elevating Banat cuisine, especially from the Serbian side, through precise technique, balanced flavours and deep respect for local ingredients.

Chef Manu Michelbach

Manu Michelbach brings 15+ years of European kitchen experience and a talent for reimagining Romanian tradition with modern technique.

Chef Daniel Cheregi

Daniel Cheregi is a Timișoara-trained pastry chef turned head chef who brings discipline, creativity and zero-waste thinking to contemporary Banat cuisine.

Chef Ioan Bebeșelea

Ioan Bebeșelea is a chef rooted in place and research, with a track record of turning local produce into contemporary cuisine.

Narcis Georgiu

Narcis Georgiu is a wine connoisseur, a storyteller of Banat’s terroir, and an authentic ambassador of refined taste.

Vasile Guștere

Vasile Guștere is a pillar of Banat gastronomy with over five decades in Timișoara’s kitchens.

Jiva Marcov

Jiva Marcov is a defining figure of Timișoara hospitality, combining hands-on craft with entrepreneurial vision.

Laura Laurențiu

Laura Laurențiu is one of Romania’s most trusted culinary voices: founder of lauralaurentiu.ro (2009) and the centre of an online community of ~1.2 million followers.

Corina Macri

Corina Macri is a leading voice of Banat hospitality, blending entrepreneurship, sector representation and policy-making.

Chef Florin Kiss

Chef Florin Kiss is a Banat-born executive chef, trainer, and HoReCa consultant who bridges kitchen craft with culinary education.

Chef Bogdan Andrei Lovin

Chef Bogdan Andrei Lovin (born 2005, Lugoj) is a young Romanian chef blending discipline and creativity.

Claudia-Romana Rista

Claudia-Romana Rista—“Fata care gătește cu flori” (The Girl Who Cooks with Flowers)—is Romania’s first culinary diplomat and a storyteller who turns heritage into cross-border dialogue.

Otilia Hedeșan

Otilia Hedeșan is an ethnologist who links scholarship, fieldwork, and community engagement.

Camelia Burghele

Camelia Burghele is a Romanian ethnologist and cultural anthropologist whose work bridges field research, storytelling, and public engagement around foodways.

Borco Ilin

Borco Ilin is a museographer and Head of PR at the Banat Village Museum in Timișoara, a writer-photographer, and a cultural marketer dedicated to living heritage.

Ana Maria Mihăescu

Ana Maria Mihăescu is a seasoned Romanian business leader and cultural champion whose career bridges high finance and place-based regeneration.

A word from our stakeholders

Mr. Alfred Simonis

President of Timiș County Council 
President of the Union of County Councils of Romania 

Dr. Simona Neumann

Director General, Visit Timiș.
Coordinator of Banat 2028 European Region of Gastronomy candidacy

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