Parallel development

In Békéscsaba, gastronomy is developing along two lines. A couple of years ago a group of chefs in Békés County decided to pass the master’s exam and start competing internationally. They even entered the 2008 chef Olympics in Erfurt and the Békés County Gastronomy Team returned home with medals. Recently they changed their name to Békés County Culinary Team and are preparing for the 2010 world championship in Luxembourg.

In cooperation with the local daily Békés Megyei Hírlap, BCCT also launched a competition for the ‘Best Restaurant in Békés County’ title. We could call it another way: a dedicated restaurant owner ‘imported’ a real pro from the capital city to Békéscsaba, chef Csaba Palotai. Brill bistro’s culinary level improved markedly, without raising prices and guests got to like 21st-century dishes. News about fine dining in Békéscsaba spread to Budapest and an opening elite restaurant recruited Csaba Palotai, who now works half-time in Budapest – with colleagues from Békéscsaba as his stagiaires!