Be Sharp Food Influencer – Strahinja Savić (@itsstraja)
Young, creative, and promising. Charming too — and, what's especially important to us, a big fan of Japanese knives.
Our new brand ambassador is Strahinja Savić!
A food technology student at the Faculty of Agriculture, but also a true chef in his own kitchen. Strahinja shares creative yet healthy recipes almost daily, which you can easily prepare at home. In short: quick, simple, and delicious.
When we run out of cooking ideas, all we need to do is check out his profile @itsstraja — inspiration is there in seconds.
What particularly fascinates us is his skill with Japanese knives, as well as the way he maintains and respects them. It is this dedication that makes him a perfect representative of the Be Sharp story.
Welcome to the team!
Be Sharp Chef - Vanja Puškar
It is a great honor to introduce one of the most productive and creative chefs from our region and our new Brand Ambassador, Vanja Puškar!
Vanja is the founder of the New Balkan Cuisine movement, under which the restaurants Iva and Tisa operate. His approach is completely unique, with a focus on using local, home-grown ingredients prepared in a modern and exciting way.
Throughout his career, Vanja has proven to be extremely successful in managing large kitchen systems, creating exciting and unusual menus, and recognizing young talents in the world of gastronomy. His example of positive influence on the entire gastronomic scene and all its aspects in the region is a guiding star for every chef and restaurant owner.
Chefs have always been associated with quality knives, yet the reality among chefs in our region is that they rarely manage to acquire a high-quality blade. As part of the Be Sharp Ambassador project, Vanja draws his colleagues' attention to the importance of using the right tools in the kitchen, including Japanese knives. This way, a well-established global trend certainly finds its place on the ladder of importance among newer generations of chefs in Serbia, those who care about themselves and represent the core and future of our gastronomic scene.
Our relationship with Vanja began long before the collaboration on the Be Sharp Ambassador project. In fact, Vanja was the first mentor and chef to one of BeSharp's founders way back in 2011. At that time, Bogdan was an intern at a hotel on the Montenegrin coast where Vanja was employed. A swift 12 years later, their paths cross again in a completely unexpected way.
In addition to what has been mentioned, we can always expect new and exciting projects from Vanja, which he diligently works on every day, and it will be an honor and a pleasure for us to be a part of his story.
Be Sharp Sushi Master - Mladen Cupara
What distinguishes the Japanese from the rest of the world? Dedication. If we had to describe Mladen in one word, it would definitely be “dedicated”.
Mladen has an exquisite sense for the harmony of flavors, which, alongside sharp knives, is crucial for preparing Sushi, and he masters it effortlessly. He leads the kitchen of the newly opened Japanese restaurant Nama in Porto Montenegro, where we can enjoy omakase style serving with a special selection of Mladen's carefully prepared Sushi creations.
Be Sharp Pastry Chef - Milan Lekić
We are pleased to announce that our great friend and top pastry chef Milan will represent our brand in his industry.
Milan has many years of experience working in our and international hospitality establishments, and currently runs his Artisan Cake Shop, a pastry shop that prepares cakes for many famous Belgrade restaurants.
Interestingly, Milan, like us, has been to Japan and shares our impressions as well as the desire to repeat his visit to the land of the rising sun.
Be Sharp Chef - Siniša Baštić
Siniša is the head chef of the newly opened Belgrade restaurant Faro. Each season, a new menu carefully crafted and paired with an excellent selection of wines comes from Siniša's kitchen.
What characterizes Siniša's cooking style is a focus on the quality of taste and highlighting the beauty of the ingredient itself, without many added embellishments. Besides being an excellent cook, Siniša is a top-notch chef and a great friend to his kitchen staff, which is reflected in the satisfaction of his guests at the end of every shift. If you want to have lunch or dinner at a restaurant where Siniša cooks, be prepared for several days of waiting for your reservation, because good things are worth waiting for.
Be Sharp Chef - David Šimunić
David Šimunić is the new Be Sharp Chef at Hotel Square Nine in Belgrade!
The breadth and inclusivity of the world of gastronomy are perfectly illustrated by David's example. He initially attended Architecture High School, only to make a complete pivot and become one of the best chefs on our culinary scene.
His dishes first take shape in his mind, then, using his architectural sensibilities, he transfers them to paper, to finally come to life on the plate before guests. It's not wrong to say that each of David's dishes is a small masterpiece, and together they resemble a complex composition capable of speaking for itself.
Be Sharp Young Talent - Lazar Svrkota
We know Lazar as a great fan of Japanese knives and a very young, promising, and ambitious chef. The perfect match for the new Be Sharp young talent!
Currently, Lazar is the head chef at Thyme street cuisine restaurant, and before that, he honed his craft in some of the best kitchens in Serbia. We believe that much success and many challenges come with this job, and it will be an honor and a pleasure for us to be by his side!