Taste, Learn & Meet Presentation of the Czech Republic, Czech Cuisine

Consul General of the Czech Republic in Chicago Bořek Lizec

Director of CzechTourism New York Michaela Claudino

Cordially invite you to a Taste, Learn & Meet Presentation of the Czech Republic, Czech Cuisine and Traditional Brands Organized on the occasion of the centennial of the founding of Czechoslovakia

Featuring Culinary Presentation by Members of the Czech National Culinary Team and networking with representatives of Czech companies

October 1, 2018, 5 pm Union League Club of Chicago (65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago)

R.S.V.P. by Wednesday, September 19, 2018 [email protected] or 312-861-1037, ext. 100

More information: www.czechcentennialchicago.cz/presentation

CULINARY PRESENTATION

PETR VLÁSEK & TOMÁŠ POPP

Our three-course menu is inspired by the cuisine of the First Czechoslovak Republic (1918 – 1938). At the time the Czech gastronomy was enormously rich and considered as one of the world’s best cuisines. It was rich not only for local ingredients, but also for the ingredients from all around the world. An influence of Italian, Austrian and French cuisines was particularly apparent.

Presented by Petr Vlásek Member of the Czech National Culinary Team Executive Chef of the AvantGrarde Restaurant & Café in Prague Gold Medal and Overall Victory at the FHA Culinary Challenge Singapore 2018 Two Gold Medals at the Buckige Welt Warth 2011 Two Silver Medals at the Villeroy & Boch World Cup Luxembourg 2010 Gold Medal at the Intragastra Stuttgart 2010

Tomáš Popp Member & Manager of the Czech National Culinary Team Gold Medal and Overall Victory at the FHA Culinary Challenge Singapore 2018 Chairman of ENVIC, Association Aimed at Improvement of the Quality of Life Coordinator of Farmers Markets in Pilsen Owner of Farmers Shops Manager of Several International Educational Projects for Cooks & Farmers Česká zbrojovka a.s. (or CZ) has long been important Czech engineering manufacturer. The company was founded in 1936 and became a joint-stock company in 1992. CZ ranks among the most successful Czech exporters and also plays the role of a key strategic partner of customers worldwide.

The production programme of CZ consists of a portfolio of products for the civilian market, service sector, and high precision engineering products mostly for the automotive and aerospace industries.

Our manufacturing is one of the most challenging branches of precision engineering and CZ is one of the top world leaders in this field. The company uses state-of-the-art technologies, though without highly qualified and well-motivated staff, the greatest treasure of every successful company, success would not be possible.

In CZ, the production itself is increasingly carried out on fully automated turning and milling centres as well as, most recently, robotic systems. In addition, CZ operates workshops where the produced components receive extremely durable surface treatment. Extensive checks and inspections in all the production phases are a standard. They are carried out with the aid of sophisticated laser equipment with measurements up to a thousand of a millimetre, whereby several hundred parameters may be monitored in each part.

All this guarantees that the customers will receive CZ products of the highest quality. The company has an excellently equipped factory in Uherský Brod, where the quality control system according to ISO 9001: 2008 is implemented and certified. The United States are a prestigious market for CZ, where its interests have been represented by the CZ-USA subsidiary since 1997. Through this subsidiary, the CZ company also owns the renowned US brand Dan Wesson. www.czub.cz / www.cz-usa.com

“Though Czechoslovakia does not exist anymore, many of the ideas on which it was based remain alive. The First Czechoslovak Republic ranked among the ten most advanced economies in the world thanks to its strong industrial base. We continue to build on that tradition. CZ’s strong automotive, aero and firearms divisions make us the largest Czech exporter to the US. CZ is the only direct successor of the famous tradition of the Czechoslovak arms industry, the largest Czech company specializing in the development and manufacture of handguns and also one of the world’s largest producers in this field. The Czechoslovak arms base was built under the motto: A weapon in the hands of courageous defenders is the best guarantee of the nation’s freedom! We still serve as partners of Czech and other nation’s armed forces and police. We constantly bring out new products for the civilian market, support various shooting sports and also actively promote civilian defense projects. In essence, we are still, in many ways, committed to the principles, on which Czechoslovakia was founded 100 years ago. We are very proud to support the Czech Centennial Celebrations in Chicago!” Lubomír Kovařík President of the CZ Group Holding

“2018 marks major anniversaries for CZ-USA as well. 20 years ago, Česká zbrojovka found its home overseas in Kansas, just as many Czechs did since the 19th century. Today, tens of thousands Kansans still claim Czech ancestry and we have been proud to support their activities. This year we also celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dan Wesson that we are proud to have in our family. Our craftsmen there created a special pistol to commemorate the occasion. Our employees and customers deserve major thanks for helping shape CZ-USA into the company we are today.” Alice Poluchová CZ-USA President President Edvard Beneš during his visit of Zbrojovka Brno, now part of Česká zbrojovka. The financial claims abroad of Zbrojovka Brno significantly helped President Beneš and the Czechoslovak government in exile to finance the campaign for regaining Czechoslovak independence during World War II.

DESIGN Czech minting has a history of more than a thousand years – our land was gifted not only with exceptional beauty, but also a wealth of silver. This silver was used by old craftsmen to make art that we admire to this day, and the Czech Mint is proud to continue in their tradition! We make not only all the circulating coins that jingle in Czech pockets, but also all Czech commemorative coins and many of our own commemorative and investment products from precious metals. Their designs carry a multitude of emotions and a thousand years of love for the craft…

A mosaic of events that led to the establishment of a common state of Czechs and Slovaks about 100 years ago became the theme of the five-part miniseries of the Czech Mint “The Foundation of Czechoslovakia.” The gold ducats are dedicated to the Washington Declaration, Return of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk to his homeland, Martin Declaration, Declaration of Independence and the establishment of the state as such.

We are proud to present special commemorative medals to the guests of honor of the Czech Centennial Gala in Chicago. www.mint.cz/en The traditional craft of printers and scribes has evolved in Czech lands for hundreds of years. Home to some of the first paper manufacturers, bookbinders, engravers, and printing masters of Europe, the hand production of these products was nearly lost in the 20th century. The inherited history of these artisans inspired us in 1995 to found a family company to produce hand-made paper.

As time went by our production expanded to include traditional printing techniques. Our business grew and we soon set up operations in a spacious 17th century farm estate in the picturesque Podřipsko area of Bohemia. Our craftsmanship and individuality brought us success not only in our home country, but also abroad. We now send original hand printed products from the heart of Bohemia across the world.

Printing on machines that are nearly one hundred years old, genuine craftsmanship and high-quality paper has become the basis of our work, the results of which you can both see and feel in the finished product. www.bohemiapaper.cz One of many national treasures of the Czech Republic is the Bohemian garnet, a stone unmatched anywhere else. In the 16th century, during the reign of Emperor Rudolf II., it became a majestic national symbol of Bohemia. D.u.v. Granat Turnov is currently the biggest producer of original gold and silver jewellery with Czech garnets. This prestigious Czech brand has been on the market since 1953. The company is the sole owner of the Czech garnet mines. Besides its own network of retail shops it also works together with a large number of trading partners in the Czech Republic and abroad. During its existence on the market the cooperative has created a collection of original silver and gold jewels in the extent of around ten thousand models. This collection is constantly extended by ranges of new patterns and motives with modern design. The cooperative created exclusive presents for, among others, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the US President Obama and his wife Michelle, Madeleine Albright, the Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI and other world famous personalities. www.granat.cz The brand Lasvit, founded in 2007 by Leon Jakimič, sheds a new light on Bohemian glass and takes it into the next millennium. Lasvit combines the authenticity of glass craft with innovative technologies and creative craftsmanship. In a few short years, Lasvit has established itself as the authority delivering bespoke lighting sculptures and art installations made from hand-blown glass. www.lasvit.com

Preciosa is a leading international glass manufacturer. For decades Preciosa has brought, and continue to bring, new blood to the art of glassmaking through creative ideas, colour and their brilliant glass and crystal components. Preciosa designs one-of-a-kind, awe-inspiring chandeliers and elegant jewellery. People in over 140 countries worldwide admire Preciosa ’s craft. www.preciosa.com

BEVERAGE We honor the craft of brewing and understand the finest selection of ingredients as the ultimate essence of our beer.

Good beer has been brewed in Bohemia since time immemorial. Therefore, when founding the city České Budějovice in Bohemia (Czech Republic) in 1265, the Czech king Přemysl Otakar II did not fail to grant to its burghers the brewing rights, i.e. the right for malting, brewing, storing and selling beer at their homes. The local beer became very famous for its high quality. In the course of the centuries, small home breweries were disappearing and the beer was brewed in larger facilities. In 1895, Český akciový pivovar was founded, whose current successor, B.B.N.P. brewery, carries on the local brewing tradition.

In North America, the beer is now sold under the trademark „Czechvar“, which is derived from „Czech“ for the Czech Republic and „var“ which means brew.

B.B.N.P. brewery lays emphasis on using the best ingredients: water drawn from 984 feet deep artesian wells located directly on the brewery´s premises, malt made from thoroughly selected Moravian barely, top-quality Saaz hops providing the beer with its typical slightly hoppy flavor. Exclusive 90-day long maturing period amplifies the beer’s exceptionality even more. www.czechvar.com R. Jelínek distillery, one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of fruit distillates represents a more than 120 years long tradition of Moravian plum brandy.

R. JELÍNEK was established in 1894 and Slivovitz (Plum Brandy) has been the flagship product for the famous Czech distillery from the very beginning. R. Jelínek has been exporting to the U.S.A. since 1934, the year prohibition ended. Of the forty different countries that R. Jelinek exports to, the United States is in the top five in terms of sales. Products of the company can be found in thirty states from the east to west coast, in more than 5000 liquor stores and restaurants. R. Jelinek recently won the silver medal for its Bohemia Honey Brandy and bronze medal for its Bohemia Plum Flavored Vodka at the Los Angeles International Spirits Competition. www.rjelinek.us Who We Are Praga Brewing Group is a young Czech brewing company dedicated to producing only the finest premium Czech beers in the old world Czech brewing tradition.

Our Story: Miro and Martin Something was missing. Miro and Martin, two friends and beer executives who spent decades expanding the brands of leading global brewers, knew they could do better. They wanted to recapture the pride and joy of producing not only superb beer, but beer that delivered the authentic experience of the storied Czech brewing heritage with every sip. So in 2004, they decided to follow their dream, and the premium Czech beer brand, Praga, was born. Over a decade later, The Authentic Czech Beer Experience has been enjoyed by beer lovers in over 35 countries and growing. Due to their dedication to uncompromising Czech brewing standards and local ingredients, Miro and Martin continue to deliver on their dream today.

Praga. The Authentic Czech Beer Experience. Czech Name. Czech Brewing Tradition. Czech Ingredients. The Authentic Czech Brand. www.pragapils.eu The Brewery

Havlíčkův Brod obtained the concractual right to brew beer already in the 14th century and since that time the production of beer has been increasing. The citizens had originally brewed beer individually in their houses, later they started to form companies and to establish bigger breweries. The town brewery was established in 1834 and its modern history and modern production of beer dates back to the end of the 19th century. During the communist era was the brewery expropriated. After the velvet revolution the brewery became again the property of the original owners. At the present the production of beer is 84 000 hectolitres a year.

Our beers and awards:

Lev Lion Pale Double Bock holds the award of Beer of the Czech Republic 2009, 2nd place. It is rich and dry beer with great hop and malt balance on the palate. It is smooth and delicious, with wonderful aromatics.

Lev Black Lion is holds the award of Beer of the Czech Republic 2011, 2nd place. It is a classic Czech „tmave“ (dark) beer with a sweet malty, coffee-like accent. Sweet malts are to the fore on the palate with a hint of drying sensation and a degree of fruitiness on the very lightly hopped finish.

Lev Lion Lager holds the award of Beer of the Czech Republic 2008, 3rd place. It is a premium quality, hand crafted full bodied pilsner style lager. It is crisp and clean with a nice hoppy finish. www.czechbeer.com Mattoni – exceptional mineral water

The unspoiled nature around Karlovy Vary, together with its unique location bordering both the Ore Mountains and the Doupovské Mountains, gives Mattoni mineral water its unmistakable taste and a delicate balance of minerals. Mattoni mineral water is the perfect accompaniment to a meal or coffee as the minerals within cleanse your palate. This means that whatever you eat or drink after taking a sip of Mattoni will have a more intense flavor. For its refinement Mattoni was chosen by International Bartender Association IBA.

Mattoni mineral water emerges at the boundary between the rocks of the Doupovské Mountains, the Ore Mountains and the Karlovy Vary Highlands. Here the water flows deep underground and is mineralized by the surrounding rocks. Fresh carbon dioxide from the Doupovské Mountains gives it a subtle sparkle.

The final ingredient added to the mix is a blend of minerals from the Karlovy Vary Granite Mountains. The mineral water known as Mattoni collects and develops its flavor at a depth of 125-230 meters below the Earth’s surface.

Mattoni. Taste of nature, passion for life. www.mattoni.us Vinné sklepy Lechovice are the greatest self-vineyards wine producers in Znojmo wine region allowing them to produce high quality wines with „wine-dresser filled“ mark.

The basic company‘s effort is applying Eco ways of vineyards protecting not only in terms of Integrated wine and grapes producing. www.vslechovice.cz OFFICIAL AIRLINE

Now celebrating almost 90 years of aviation history, LOT has improved its network schedule with shorter connections and more frequencies to increased destinations with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East via its hub in Warsaw. Our anticipated growth will see expansion double the size of the existing network through 2020.

LOT offers nonstop service from New York, Newark, Chicago and Los Angeles to Warsaw. Nonstop flights to Krakow from Chicago are now offered as well. In the spring of 2018 LOT was pleased to announce the launch of nonstop flights from Newark to Rzeszow, from Warsaw to Singapore as well as from Budapest to New York City and Chicago.

LOT is proud to be the most rapidly growing carrier in Europe! www.lot.com ORGANIZERS

Bořek Lizec Consul General

Tomáš Trnka Consul, Head of Trade & Economic Section of the Consulate General

Martina Muresan Trade & Economic Section

Martina East Trade & Economic Section

Jana Šáchová Assistant to the Consul General

Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chicago 205 N Michigan Avenue, Suite 1680, Chicago, IL 60601

T +1 312 861 1037, ext. 100, F +1 312 861 1944 E [email protected] E (consular section) [email protected] W www.mzv.cz/chicago “Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chicago” ORGANIZERS

Michaela Claudino Director

CzechTourism USA & Canada 1109 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10028 phone: +1 (212) 288-0830 cell: +1 (646) 269-4839 [email protected] www.czechtourism.com