The Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije has achieved a historic success on the global gastronomic scene. The publication “Mountain Bounty,” which authentically documents the culinary heritage of Northern Montenegro, has been named the winner in the gastro-tourism category at the prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Paris.

This prestigious award, considered the publishing world’s equivalent of the “Oscar” for cookbooks, confirms that the traditional recipes of mountain regions possess universal value and immense tourism potential. The jury in Paris particularly highlighted the original approach to the publication – instead of a classic cookbook, “Mountain Bounty” offers a deep insight into the culture, customs, and strength of local communities, presenting food as a living resource that connects the region’s past and future.

The Director of RDA BKP, Jelena Krivčević, emphasizes that this recognition belongs to all the rural hostesses from the North who unselfishly shared their family recipes. It is they who, through their daily work in the katuns and rural households, preserve the authenticity of the Montenegrin table. The award in Paris has opened doors for a new kind of promotion for Montenegro as a top gastro-tourism destination, attracting the attention of world-class chefs and media crews, including planned TV series featuring renowned French gastronomes.

With this success, traditional dishes such as kačamak, cheese, skorup, and various buckwheat pies have moved beyond local kitchens to become part of a globally recognized cultural heritage. The Regional Development Agency continues its mission of branding the North by supporting small producers and rural households, proving that the most valuable resources for tourism development are found precisely in our tradition and hospitality.