Secrets of the traditional cuisine of the Vologda region were revealed at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The unique flavour of Vologda butter and the secrets of preparing local dishes were revealed by leading brand chefs of the region at the gastronomic show "Taste of Vologda". The event was held on 4 February as part of the Vologda Region Days at the National Centre RUSSIA, where guests were able not only to sample dishes that form the basis of Vologda’s culinary traditions, but also to learn how to preserve the natural taste of ingredients.

Traditional recipes and modern interpretations of historic dishes were presented by leading brand chefs of the Vologda region — Russian champion in culinary arts and ambassador of the regional Association of Hoteliers and Restaurateurs Alexander Gavrilov, as well as the co-owner and brand chef of several venues and prize-winner of Russian and European culinary championships Dmitry Blinnikov. The preparation and presentation of the dishes were supported by the best students from relevant universities of the region.

Guests were treated to pancakes made with farm products from Vologda land, including cranberries, lingonberries, cloudberry jam, Sokol condensed milk, sour cream, and the famous Vologda ice cream. This was followed by a roll of Vologda pike perch with rogulka greens and mashed potatoes. The programme concluded with the presentation of a traditional yet little-known dessert from the Vologda region — dezhen made from toasted oat flour with fermented baked milk cream.

"Previously, when I was asked which cuisine I loved cooking the most, I usually said Italian, French or Pan-Asian dishes. Now I say that my favourite cuisine is our own — Russian, Vologda cuisine. It is truly unique and multifaceted," Dmitry Blinnikov admitted.

The brand chefs explained that, on the instruction of the Governor of the Vologda Region, Georgy Filimonov, work has begun under the auspices of the regional Association of Hoteliers and Restaurateurs to create a Manifesto of Vologda Cuisine. It will include a set of principles, ideas and guidelines aimed at rethinking, renewing and promoting modern Vologda gastronomy. The Manifesto is expected to play a key role in the development of gastronomic tourism and in passing culinary traditions on to the younger generation.

"The Manifesto will be based on historic recipes. We have started returning to our roots and history, studying regional cuisine more deeply, communicating more with representatives of the older generation and learning from them the secrets of preparing traditional dishes, so that we can then pass them on to our youth," Alexander Gavrilov explained.

Guests not only sampled traditional dishes of the region, but also learned more about the culture of consuming products from Vologda land and about the experience of regional teams participating in prestigious gastronomic contests.

The Vologda Region Days continued the programme of thematic regional days at the "Book of Fairy Tales" exposition at the National Centre RUSSIA. All events at the National Centre RUSSIA are free of charge, with advance registration required for some of them on the website russia.ru. The current schedule is available in the "Events" section.