Many of our readers from Slovenia will likely recognize the remarkable woman in this interviews. We’re thrilled and honored that she has chosen a Viva' bag as her daily companion.

Meet Darja—a true inspiration. She is the creative force behind the popular cafes and bistros in Ljubljana, known as Bazilika and Bife. Her refined style and vision are evident in every detail of these vibrant spaces. This summer, the Viva team had the pleasure of visiting Darja at her home, where we chatted about life, food, and much more.

We invite you to read the full interview on our blog.

1. How would you describe yourself in three words?
Kind-hearted, (pro)active, persistent.

2. How do you describe your work?
A combination of the unpredictable and the routine, creative and boring. I enjoy this balance, and at the same time, I have an open mind for new projects that would inspire me.

3. What is your passion, what inspires you, and how do you seek inspiration in cooking?
My passion is simply food and everything related to it. I’m fascinated by the fact that food connects people in such a powerful and primal way, both on a basic human level and on a global cultural level. I’m inspired by different cultures and their cuisines. When I travel, I fall in love all over again, sometimes with French, other times with Balkan, and yet other times with Thai cuisine.

4. Do you have a recipe that is particularly dear to you, or a dish that holds special value or reminds you of someone or something?
There are so many. I have memories associated with most dishes. Often, I remember meals and the feelings and company that came with them more than the events themselves. My mom’s vegetable soup, which always comforts me, zucchini fritters and Greek salad with feet in the sand, Thai curry with the smell and sounds of Asia in the background, burek with friends at 4 AM, traditional Christmas shrimp soup at a family dinner, parmigiana with my loud friends...

5. What does sustainability mean to you?
Sustainability is about actions, not just words. It’s a focus on the future, which for me, in practice, means thinking about what I really need and what value something will have over time. Then there’s the sustainability I follow in cooking, which I could sum up as: seasonal, local, economical, and above all, respectful of food and all its parts.

6. What makes you happy?
The moments I spend with the people I love. Moments when I feel love.

7. Among your four Bazilika locations, do you have a favorite?
It’s impossible to answer this, like asking which is your favorite child. I love each one in its own way, mostly because of the people who work there and the guests who visit.

8. How do you balance your busy professional with your private life? How do you unwind?
I feel like I’ve always known how to maintain a good balance between work and social life ;-). Although they’ve often been closely intertwined, today both I and my company have matured to the point where I can say everything is exactly as it should be. I’m grateful for the team of employees who connect with my vision and we breath as one. When I’ve had enough, I always love to return to nature. For years, I’ve also been practicing Pilates, which is good for both my body and my spirit.

9. What is your morning routine?
Nothing special. In the morning, I always have a big cup of coffee with Luka, plan my day, and then I’m off into the world.

10. Do you have any special rituals?
There are probably quite a few that I do unconsciously on a daily basis. Otherwise, I really love tradition and everything that surrounds it.

11. Your favorite song?
It depends on the moment; I like a lot of different things, from old Italian songs to the rhythms of funk and soul. Very often, I’m accompanied by Roisin Murphy, who is simply my favorite diva.

12. What do you always have in your bag?
First, there are the usual suspects: wallet, Moleskine planner, sunglasses, and a Rotring, my favorite pen. Then there’s a small foldable shopping bag (this always reminds me of my mom, who used to carry one folded neatly into a little triangle), and a mini “Sport Billy” bag, as I like to call it. It practically has everything that often comes in handy: dental floss, headache tablets, lipstick, concealer, nail file, menthol candies, and a mini sewing kit for emergencies.