There are three main things that bring my family together: a love of the sea, good food, and plenty of gin! In June, to celebrate a family milestone, my brothers, parents, all partners, and friends set sail for a week around Croatia. With no galley cook aboard, we each took turns preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner to share. Despite having no fridge, just a basic kitchen and a barbecue at the back of the boat, we managed to fry, boil, and char some incredible dishes. These were served family-style on the deck … always accompanied by a glass or two of rosé.
The highlight of the week came when we heard whispers on the pontoon about a mythical place, Atelier Luka, tucked down a creek, accessible only by boat and not to be found on google. Undeterred, my family set off to find it. Nestled among the pines, beside the glistening clear water, was a ramshackle hut strung with festoon lights. We were ushered in, two at a time, to view the catch of the day: a freshly caught, two-foot amberjack destined for the barbecue.
The unassuming chef proceeded to serve course after course—amberjack tartare, steak, and carpaccio. As someone who usually doesn’t enjoy seafood, even I was won over by the fresh, meaty fish!
A perfect ending to an unforgettable week, cheers to the next adventure!!