The Concept
A radical dining experience about how food connects us all, The Ritual Dinner is an iconic part of the Ritual Gatherings Festival. А оnce-in-a-year pop-up restaurant on a cliff above the sea, with a single table for 100 people and with the sunset as a backdrop, The Ritual Dinner celebrates not only the culinary art, but also the deeply shared experience and ritual of eating together with friends and family.
In 2024, for the first time ever we will set the Ritual Dinner table twice – one for each night of the festival.
This year’s dinner menu will navigate us through the depths of the terroir of the mystical Strandzha mountain and its connection with the southern Black Sea coast. Maria Zhekova and Filip Spasov unite their creative energies to present their interpretation of traditional recipes from South-Eastern Bulgaria. The conceptual evolution of the selected local dishes will be explored through 4 dimensions: time, place, know-how, and cultural meaning – the universal characteristics of the transmission of culinary knowledge and raw materials between generations.
The setting
The chefs
Mariya Zhekova
Bulgaria’s MasterChef of 2022 and photographer by profession, Maria is a unique human being with values deeply rooted in the preservation of traditional recipes and culinary folklore. This summer Maria will create a menu entirely conceptualized on long-lost culinary traditions of the Bulgarian South-East Black Sea coast
Filip Spasov
From restaurants with 2 and 3 Michelin stars to his own food festival taking over Varna every year, from Hell's Kitchen to the family bistro - this, in short, is one of The Ritual Dinner 2024 chefs, who just couldn't get over his experience with us in 2022 and became a fundamental part of our Ritual Dinner team.
Dinner Reservation + Access
The Ritual Dinner + 1 day festival
270 BGN / per person
The Ritual Dinner Experience is one of the most unique aspects of the Ritual Gatherings festival, carrying our distinct spirit of togetherness, ease and love for Mother Nature and all that she gives us.
What does it include?
The Ritual Dinner + Full festival
360 BGN / per person
The Ritual Dinner & Full Festival Experience allows you to fully immerse into Ritual Gatherings festival, enjoying the complete program of our gathering.
What does it include?
Access to our unique sunset dining experience that brings beautiful people around one long table for a 5-course menu by acclaimed chefs, creating an unparalleled atmosphere of togetherness and joy. During the reservation process, you must select whether you want to attend The Ritual Dinner on Friday or Saturday.
Access to both days and nights of our magical festival, where you can enjoy daily activities such as yoga, meditation, talks, workshops, curious art and deep, aesthetic and uplifting electronic music from sunrise to sunset and until sunrise again.
Premium Ritual Experience
by Food Nomads
890 BGN / per person
Welcome to the Premium Ritual Experience – a special package developed together with our partners from Food Nomads and designed to provide a rare, seamless, and complete experience of Ritual Gatherings, combining convenience and pleasure. For the very first time we offer a complete festival experience like no other, that includes a selection of services, including boutique accommodation, convenient transport giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself into the Ritual Gatherings magic completely.
What does it include?
Two nights (July 12 and 13) in cozy rooms with sea view in one of the most picturesque boutique 4* hotels in Ancient Sozopol. Breakfast, free minibar, and a welcome drink are included in the price.
A convenient shuttle transfer from the hotel to the Ritual Dinner ensuring you a hassle-free journey.