Alma Harašić Bremec

Alma Harašić Bremec is the Head of the Culinary Academy of the Association of Chefs from Mediterranean and European (ŠKMER), the mother of two boys and a girl, and a woman with a career that demands continuous proving and pushing of boundaries. She is a formidable contender, an adept negotiator, especially in a male-dominated industry resistant to inevitable changes and trends in hospitality, tourism, and gastronomy. Balancing warmth, empathy, and the investment of time, knowledge, and all available resources in young people who are willing, capable, and eager to achieve, Alma is guided by the mantra: “Happy is the one who can give, and never do unto others what you do not wish done unto yourself.”

Alma ventured out into the world in her high school years, leaving Milna on the island of Brač for Split, where she completed her secondary education, and then continuing to Opatija for studies at the Faculty of Hotel Management. It was there she met Željko Neven Bremec, now one of Croatia’s leading chefs and culinary educators, who became both her life partner and business partner. Even before graduating, Alma was managing prestigious hotel establishments—her youth and new challenges never deterring her. At the turn of the millennium, together with Željko Neven, she succeeded in creating a new

story, fresh inspiration in gastronomy and a remarkable kitchen, always choosing the more challenging path to enrich each tourist destination with unique, signature products. While Željko Neven established himself as one of Croatia’s top chefs, working in leading restaurants and teaching around the world, Alma took charge of organizing gourmet events, promoting elite tourism, and managing a travel agency, all while pursuing a master’s degree in Total Quality Management in Hospitality in Opatija and starting a family. These were the first pieces of a courageous 25-year career mosaic, defined by a blend of Brač persistence, passion for learning, and a drive to continually raise standards in the field of hospitality and tourism.

Her friendship with Miro Bogdanović (1954–2017), founder of the association uniting chefs and hospitality experts from the European Mediterranean, along with new business opportunities in Dalmatia brought about by a gastronomic renaissance spearheaded by Bogdanović, led the Bremecs and their three children to relocate to Split in 2010. Alma’s first job in Split was as principal and teacher at a private high school, after which she accepted Miro’s invitation to join the Association as Marketing Manager. She began organizing association events such as Biser Mora, the largest culinary competition and festival in this part of Europe, attracting now more than 500 chefs annually from around the world. Meanwhile, she was also launching and setting up

hospitality establishments, developing tailor-made training for hospitality staff, and creating new projects.

The Bremecs were later tasked with elevating ŠKMER (The Association of Chefs from Mediterranean and European Regions) to a long-envisioned status as a leader in culinary education and skills development for professionals in this part of Europe, bringing together numerous members and volunteers who, with dedication and joy, contribute “from the heart—through the stomach.” Thanks to Alma’s vision, creativity, and business acumen, ŠKMER is today a leading professional chefs’ association, partnering with top F&B companies in Croatia and running a platform for education, exchange of experience, refinement, conferences, and international competitions (Biser Mora, Grand Gourmet, Dubrovnik Royal Gourmet).

Among the wide array of activities and projects led by Alma Harašić Bremec at the Culinary Academy are training programs for beginners and professionals, humanitarian initiatives, and cooking workshops for preschool and school-aged children, teaching healthy eating and life habits. She also finds time to be a lecturer and is a member of the Croatian Association of Businesswomen “Krug,” where she advocates for the improvement of women’s status in both social and business spheres.

People who inspire Alma are those passionate about making progressive changes and who are willing to invest their knowledge, time, and skills to elevate quality in all aspects of life and the professional environment.