Euro-Toques International is a leading European association of chefs and the only one carrying out official consulting activities with the EC and EP at the adoption of policies and laws in the area of foods, labelling, agricultural production, drinks, wine and aqua cultures. Over 4,000 professional cooks and chefs from 18 EU member-states have joined the club, united in protection of Europe’s culinary traditions and heritage. Some of the best Bulgarian experts in culinary are its members. On February 14 the Arena Armeetz Hall in Sofia holds the 10th jubilee edition of the European Day of Healthy Food and Cooking with Children initiative. Euro-Toques Bulgaria and the EC are the traditional organizers of the event. In the period February 14 – 17 it will be held in other cities and towns – Varna, Burgas, Ruse, Veliko Tarnovo and Stara Zagora. Chef Zhoro Ivanov is an expert with impressive professional biography, with over 20 years of experience across the best restaurants here and abroad. He has cooked for many VIPs, such as John Travolta, Morgan Freeman, Milla Jovovich, Ben Affleck and others. Here is what he told us on the event:

The Day of Healthy Food is carried out in a funny way and the idea is children to get involved into what they consume. This year the kids’ culinary show will seize over 1,000 children from the entire country, aged 7 to 12. They will cook alongside popular Bulgarian chefs, but will also have fun and share their vision on the food. We will also have a discussion with them. The main subject will be their idea of the school’s restaurant and buffet. Our organization has projects for school feeding of kids, but the municipalities still fail to recognize them. Providing of good-quality food is a very serious commitment. Healthy nutrition initiatives have their meaning only if there is sequence, chef Ivanov says.

More than 6,500 children, over 100 cooks and chefs and 150 volunteers have joined the mission in the course of a decade. The idea is good nutrition culture to be established in an interactive manner and important for the kids subjects to be discussed with them.



Overweight and obesity in particular are a problem across Europe. A 2013 national representative poll, held among 3,353 children, aged 7 showed overweight with 32.4% of the boys and 28.6% of the girls. Obesity levels were 15.7% with the boys and 12.2% with the girls.



We asked Mr. Ivanov whether they’ve achieved success in influencing children in the right manner, regarding healthy nutrition:

This is our major mission and I believe we succeed. Both parents and children are looking for more authentic products. The relation with the Bulgarian village is broken now and in the past it was a source of products with good quality. Back in the days children could go to their grandparents’ village and get acquainted with vegetable growing, could taste real milk and cheese. I am happy to see the emerging of new farms in Bulgaria, where meat breeds of high quality and pure farming cultures are taken care of. Children should be involved in these processes via programs, adapted for schools and kindergartens, chef Ivanov says in conclusion.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev
Photos: private library