Croatian flavors bring a taste of home to Atlanta

From Istrian fuži with truffles to homemade strudel, the flavors of Croatia have returned to Atlanta. For the third time, Luka Anić from Zagreb and his family showcased Croatian cuisine at an international school event bringing together families from around the world.

On Sunday, Atlanta International School in Georgia hosted an event where parents presented traditional dishes from their countries of origin. Proceeds from food sales will go toward supporting the school.

A Croatian table full of local specialties

Croatia was represented for the third time by Luka Anić, a Zagreb native who lives in Atlanta with his family and is a co-founder of an American company, as well as a partner and external director for artificial intelligence.

He received plenty of help preparing the Croatian specialties from his mother, Dr. Otilija Anić, who traveled from Zagreb to visit the family and spend time with her six-year-old grandson, Pax.

The family team also included Pax's other grandmother, Marcy Koffler, and Luka's aunt, Suzana Anić, an anesthesiologist at an Atlanta hospital.

Visitors could sample Istrian fuži pasta with truffles, breaded chicken and veal, potato salad, and cherry and apple strudel. The Croatian table also featured other traditional snacks, popular Croatian sweets, and a well-known vitamin drink.

Flavors of Croatia connect generations

The Anić family's participation highlights how Croatians living abroad preserve their heritage and share it with the wider international community.

Through traditional dishes and a joint family effort, Croatian culinary traditions once again took their place among the diverse cultures represented at the event. The gathering also served a charitable purpose, raising funds to support the school.

An international school with a long tradition

Founded in 1985, Atlanta International School is a private school offering elementary and secondary education. It is known for its international approach and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, an internationally recognized educational framework.

The school brings together students from diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds. Events like this give families an opportunity to share their countries' traditions, customs, and cuisine.

For the Anić family, it was another chance to bring Croatia closer to people thousands of miles from home — through food, family togetherness, and a love of their roots.