Chef Ante Dropuljić

After completing a general secondary school in Ploče, alongside actively playing handball, I worked as a coach at RK Opuzen and completed the Croatian Olympic Academy. I then moved to RK Zagreb and later to RK Dubrovnik, where I ended my playing career.

In 2013, I graduated from the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Education (PMFOZ) in Mostar, earning a higher education degree in sports, specializing as a strength and conditioning coach. I worked as a strength and conditioning coach with RK Dubrovnik, ŽRK Dubrovnik, ŽKK Ragusa Dubrovnik, Judo Club 1966 Dubrovnik, and Tennis Club Dubrovnik.

Driven by my passion for cooking, in 2018 I began working as a line cook at Bugenvilla Cavtat (Michelin Guide). In 2019, I moved to Restaurant Orka Dubrovnik as a sous chef. In 2020, I completed an internship at Noel in Buje (then part of Noel Zagreb, 1 Michelin star), led by Chef Goran Kočiš in Zagreb and Chef Mario Mandarić in Buje.

I returned to Dubrovnik to take the position of Head Chef at Taverna Otto. In 2021 and 2022, I served as Head Chef at Restaurant Škif in Igrane, where we received the Večernjak’s Rose award for the best small restaurant on the Adriatic and were named Tourism Champion.

In 2023, I joined M’arden Dubrovnik, where I worked until the end of 2025. In 2025, I completed a seven-month internship at Restaurant Arzak (3 Michelin stars) and began working as an external associate at the University of Dubrovnik in the program of Hospitality, Restaurant Management, and Gastronomy.