IN MEMORY OF A LEGEND OF CULINARY ART: MIRKO BILANOVIĆ

In Dvorovi near Bijeljina, on March 20, 2026, at the age of 67, renowned Semberian chef and restaurateur Mirko Bilanović passed away after a short illness.

PHOTO: InfoBijeljina

He dedicated nearly half a century to cooking, leaving a profound mark on the hospitality and culinary scene across the region. During his rich career, he also worked in Zenica, where he served as head chef in a kitchen that prepared as many as eight thousand meals a day.

Part of his professional life was spent on the Adriatic coast, in Tučepi, and he also worked for a significant period as head chef at Banja Dvorovi.

Bilanović was the long-time owner of the restaurant-tavern “Kod Mirka,” which he successfully ran for more than two decades. He concluded his working career at Banja Dvorovi.

His name was an essential presence at almost all culinary events in Semberija. Whether it was the “Golden Cauldron of Semberija,” the Mitrovdan Fair, various cooking competitions, or other gastronomic gatherings, Mirko Bilanović was synonymous with top-quality cuisine, both as a participant and as a member of expert juries.

The funeral of Mirko Bilanović will take place on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at the cemetery in Dvorovi, following the funeral service at the Church of Saint Procopius, which will begin at 1:00 PM.

With the passing of Mirko Bilanović, Semberija has lost a great master of culinary art and a man whose work, knowledge, and dedication marked an entire era of hospitality in this region.