Award recipient Chef Dragos Bercea, Leading Culinary Experiences Manager at Zooma within City Grill Group, honored as "Top Event Chef of 2025" at Chefi de Romania Gala.
Hip, Casual Take on the Chef Dragoș Bercea Award Win
Let's rubberneck the scoop on Chef Dragoș Bercea, the dude behind the delectables at Zooma – that swanky event space under the City Grill Group banner. He just scooped "Best Event Chef 2025" at the 3rd edition of Chefi de România Gala, a bigwig event in Romania's foodie world.
This ace culinary maestro has been wowing guests for around 20 years with his culinary wizardry. He's been redefining event gastronomy, from the nosh to the full-on experience, at Zooma – the pièce de résistance of personal and corporate hullabaloos in the Bucharest metro area, recently acquired by City Grill Group.
Zooma's deal is all about swanky multisensory feasts, customized nosh, considerate attention to detail, and cohesive culinary yarns, regardless of event size. Shoutout to the City Grill Group for continuously championing excellence in the culinary realm, whether at their eateries or at Zooma.
This accolade for Chef Bercea isn't just his personal triumph; it's a testament to City Grill's culture, where performance, creativity, and sharp focus are as natural as a native Romanian's penchant for a hearty dish of mamaliga.
As Mihaela Bosneag, Zooma's mothership's COO, puts it, "Dragoș's passion, creative brilliance, and vision are game-changers across the board with our events. Zooma is a snazzy extension of the quality that City Grill regulars adore, and Dragoș plays a key role in shaping this premium vibe."
Zooma: A Mecca for Jamborees, Accommodating Up to 1,500 Revelers
As part of the City Grill Group, Zooma has staked its claim as a hotspot for large-scale parties, seal-the-deal weddings, corporate hooch-fests, and schmooze-fests. Situated in Paradisul Verde, adjacent to Bucharest, this venue can host up to 1,500 guests, boasting a plush and adaptable space backed by gastronomic grunt, attentive service, and a pro team committed to delivering once-in-a-lifetime moments. From high-rent galas to major milestones, Zooma makes every event a statement of class and sophistication.
Chefi de România Gala: The Heavyweight in Romania's Hospitality Scene
Organized by TrendsHRB, Chefi de România Gala is a powerhouse event in Romania's hospitality industry. The third edition revolved around the theme "Legacy of Excellence," celebrating tradition, innovation, and the creative forces shaping Romanian gastronomy. The jury included illustrious names like Chef Nico Lontras, Lady Chef Oana Coantă, Pastry Chef Ana Consulea, and Chef Constantin Ghimpu.
City Grill Group: A Pioneer in Romania's Restaurant Scene
City Grill Group, the homegrown heavyweight in Romania's restaurant game, launched back in 2004. Today, the family expands to brands like Caru’ cu Bere, Hanu’ lui Manuc, Pescărus̤, Hanu’ Berarilor, Buongiorno.Italian, City Grill, City Grill Family, and City Grill Delivery, as well as La Boheme – the group's first hotel – and newer projects such as Aubergine, Marty Restaurants, and the Zooma event complex in Corbeanca.
From its inaugural eatery to its current array of venues, City Grill Group has stuck to its mission of offering diners the ideal setting for power lunches, chill sessions, or quality time with friends and fam. Their menus cater to the urban foodie who appreciates city life and setting up business or personal encounters over a brew. The dishes showcase both traditional Romanian fare and international flavors, with a focus on fresh, chemical-free ingredients.
Cheers to City Grill Group for their commitment to sustainable practices, ensuring oil, glass, cardboard, and plastic are recycled consistently across its venues and minimizing food waste through active campaigns. They're serving over 14,900 guests daily and making a delicious dent in the Romanian food scene, one flavor-packed bite at a time!
*Of course, this is a revamped press release.
- Chef Dragos Bercea, who won "Best Event Chef 2025" at the 3rd Chefi de Romania Gala, received much praise for his culinary additives and influence on the lifestyle of event-goers at Zooma, a home-and-garden event space recently acquired by City Grill Group.
- The accolade given to Chef Bercea is a reflection of City Grill Group's commitment to investing in talented individuals who redefine gastronomy, whether within the scope of their restaurants or on a larger scale at event venues like Zooma.
- At conferences such as the Chefi de Romania Gala, City Grill group's hospitality offerings remain a cornerstone in Romania's booming restaurant and event scene, setting the bar for quality, innovation, and a focus on carefully-sourced, sustainable ingredients.
