Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Croatia and Chef James Knappett honour 100 Years of Esplanade Hotel with a Gala Dinner at Zinfandel’s
EXCLUSIVE GALA EVENING WITH TWO MICHELIN STARS FEATURING a famous British chef AND TOP CROATIAN WINES
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Esplanade Hotel in Zagreb a gala dinner will take place at the fine dining Zinfandel’s restaurant on Tuesday, 10 June 10 2025.
On this occasion, the gastronomic association Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Croatia is proud to bring to Zagreb James Knappett, the esteemed Chef of London restaurant Kitchen Table** which holds
two Michelin stars.
James Knappett is one of the most inspiring chefs of today and the co-owner of the prestigious London restaurant Kitchen Table**. His culinary career includes collaborations with legends such as Ferran Adrià (elBulli), Rene Redzepi (Noma) and Thomas Keller (Per Se), the icons of world gastronomy who shaped his distinctive style.
James Knappett grew up in a family that ran pubs, but as a boy he dreamed of becoming a police officer. It was only when he found himself working in a hotel kitchen during his school internship that he started to seriously consider pursuing a career as a chef. This internship proved to be crucial, as it completely captivated him, leading him to soon enrol in hospitality school. At first, he worked part-time at a local Italian restaurant, where he gained his first experience in cooking. Everything changed after he watched the show Boiling Point with Gordon Ramsay, which inspired him so much that he decided to seek out Ramsay at a food fair. The meeting resulted in him getting his first job at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. As he himself says, it was a very demanding and intense introduction to the world of Michelin cuisine. After six months he decided to leave and move to Cornwall, where he spent three years studying with Rick Stein, one of the most respected British chefs specialising in fish and seafood.
Knappett is a renowned and passionate educator, serving as a mentor to numerous young chefs and being a powerful advocate for a sustainable approach to gastronomy. His work embodies a combination of superior craftsmanship, knowledge and authenticity, which is why he enjoys a great reputation among his colleagues and the audience. “The main thought of every dish, and the cooking, is seasonality. Now this is a new word and a new fashion, people are making a big deal of it. We’ve been doing this since the day that we opened and I don’t understand that it’s not just natural.”
James Knappett, interview for The Independent
Tuesday, 10 June 2025, at 18:00 h
Zinfandel’s Restaurant
Hotel Esplanade Zagreb, Mihanovićeva
The gala evening at Zinfandel’s restaurant will begin with a welcome at 6:00 PM featuring Jagunić sparkling wine, followed by the start of the gala dinner. The gala dinner featuring eight courses, each bearing the signature touch of Chef James Knappet, will be paired with wines from Croatian winemakers (Jagunić, Stina, Braje, Markus, Benvenuti, Matošević, Krauthaker), and wine from the Knebu winery from Tomislavgrad. All wines were carefully selected by Mario Bednjanec, one of the best Croatian sommeliers. Mario is the Head Sommelier at the Gymkhana** restaurant in London, which has proudly held its second Michelin star since last year.
MENU
Chef James Knappett
Oyster
Japanese parsley, oyster leaf, sorrel, jalapeno
Chicken
Rosemary, mascarpone, bacon
Scallop
Caviar, cream, walnut, hazelnut
Lobster
Curry, mango, peanuts, cilantro, egg
Pasta
Agnolotti, goat cheese, peas, mint, onion, truffle
Lamb
Asparagus, black garlic, sheep’s milk yoghurt, wild garlic
Strawberry
Elderberry, black pepper, meringue
Canelé
Orange
At Zinfandel’s restaurant, the guest chef and his team will be welcomed by Esplanade’s Chef Ana Grgić Tomić. Together with her sous chefs, they will participate in the preparation of this gala dinner.
Reserve your table and be part of a unique evening celebrating the Esplanade’s jubilee and the art of gastronomy. Enjoy top-notch delicacies paired with selected local wines. Immerse yourself in Esplanade’s renowned service and the enchanting ambiance of Zinfandel’s. The price of the dinner is EUR 245 per person and includes a selection of wines, water, and coffee or tea. For reservations and additional information, please contact Zinfandel’s Restaurant at the following phone number: +385 1 45 666 44.
PHOTOGRAPHS (Esplanade Hotel Archive / James Knappet, Kitchen Table London) – DOWNLOADS
On Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Croatia
The association has been active in Croatia since 2018 as part of an international fraternity with headquarters in Paris. The association’s work is dedicated to preserving and promoting culinary excellence as well as enjoying gastronomic experiences at the highest level. Members of the association include representatives of restaurants, hotels, winemakers, cellar masters, chefs, sommeliers, and passionate lovers of good food and wine. All members of the association share a sincere commitment and love for exquisite gastronomy, culinary innovations, as well as the preservation and promotion of tradition (www.chaine.hr).
Gastronomic association Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Croatia – CONTACT:
Dalibor Greganić
Bailli Délégué National, Bailiage du Croatia Membre du Conseil Magistral
T. +385 1 472 4824, M. [email protected], www.chaine.
Published: Zagreb, 29 May 2025
