With these words, Davor Andrić, the owner of the hotel and restaurant Vila Barbat from the island of Rab, with of more than 70 years of family tradition, sums up his view on gastronomy and its importance for the individual, family, community, and nation.
He is a supporter of preserving authentic, local flavors and believes that traditional dishes are a way of safeguarding identity. Davor Andrić also demonstrates his love for the land and the sea through olive growing. In olive groves inherited from his family, he produces two kinds of extra virgin olive oil. Cultivating mainly the local variety called orkula (oblica), he sees traditional oil production as a tribute to heritage. For many years he served as the mayor of the Town of Rab. In 1995, in an effort to protect heritage and ensure sustainability, he initiated the establishment of the association of Rab crossbowmen, which maintains the rich tradition of the island of Rab.