Where have you heard that name before? Chef Ana Roš put Slovenia on the gastronomic map after being voted The World’s Best Female Chef in 2017 and starring in her own episode of Netflix’s cult series, Chef’s Table. Pronounced Hi-sha Franko, the restaurant is located in the stunning surrounds of the Soča Valley and has drawn visitors to Slovenia from all over the world.
About the chef: Ana Roš was destined to be a diplomat, having completed a degree in international diplomatic studies, before she met her husband Valter Kramar and agreed to take over his family’s restaurant with him. She taught herself to cook and now specialises in intricately made ravioli and dishes that focus on produce from within a few kilometres of Hiša Franko.
On the menu: Roš and her team offer an eleven-course tasting menu based on seasonal produce, which may start with the restaurant’s homemade spelt sour dough, pumpkin seed meringue with trout liver and local smoked cheese.
The rest of the menu might include anything from the chef’s ‘no waste’ salami broth – a recipe she learnt from her father –, pulled Drežnica lamb and crab, or sole in its own pil pil.
A family affair: Hiša Franko is actually a big house in the countryside where Roš and Kramar live with their two children, Svit and Eva Klara. In addition to making the Tolmin cheese on the premises, sommelier Kramar also serves the wine from his extensive collection.
Credit: Suzan Gabrijan