June / July <strong>2010</strong> 42 WIZZ magazine SOFIA Fifty metres up and a fi ve-point harness. Is this your idea of the ultimate dining experience? WWW.DINNERINTHESKY.COM
It’s not the prices making them giddy… SOFIA The sky’s the limit in Sofia You can toast the Bulgarian capital from cloud nine Look to the heavens and you might at fi rst suppose it’s something out of a surreal silent movie – folk in smart evening attire sat around a dinner table, 50 metres up in the air. But your eyes are not deceiving you; it’s an event organised by Sofi a’s Dinner in the Sky brigade. Not content with terra fi rma, their dining table is in a place that’s normally the preserve of hang gliders, electricity pylons and birds. According to Milen Tzanov, the organiser of such events in Bulgaria, the country’s capital city is the obvious place to host ariel culinary extravaganzas because it “reveals scenes of Sofia never witnessed before.” It’s hard to disagree, as a panoramic view from one of his banquets ranges from a booming enclave of sleek office blocks and apartments to pristine rivers and ancient ruins such as the 4thcentury Church of St George. And all in the comforting shadow of Mount Vitosha. Of course, it’s easy to see how customers might at first feel a bit queasy about tucking into supper on a table just below the cloud line, but Milen stresses that “the dining platform and all its associated equipment and the [setting-up and attendant] crew have all passed rigorous tests”. Indeed, safety is paramount so there are several inspections. “Every detail is triple checked, with passengers being assured by a five-point safety belt system,” he explains. “A quest for adventure” is his unequivocal reply to what drew him to this concept. It’s SOFIA’S SIGHTS St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Taking its name from the eponymous Russian saint, construction began on this Bulgarian Orthodox church in 1882. By the time the Neo-Byzantine edifice was completed in 1912, the gold-plated dome and its slate-green siblings made it one of the wonders of the capital. Words Xav Judd The Largo Some would say it’s a blot on the landscape, but this vast creamcoloured 1950s building is one of the finest illustrations of Socialist Classicism in Europe. Formerly, the headquarters of the Communist Party, it now houses the President’s Office and impressive TZUM Department store. certainly caught on, as Bulgarian artists, musicians and celebrities are just some of the 1000-plus crowd who have dared to take up this highwire-esque challenge. There’s no doubt that a little bit of bravery is required and it’s no shock that the odd person has been struck by a sort of stage fright when they are above the rooftops. “Many people feel a bit worried,” he chuckles. “But the initial feeling of stress or fear gives way to surprise and curiosity. However when someone continually feels uneasy he is comfortably landed and cheered by our crew.” The whole Dinner in the Sky experience takes about 90 minutes, with the meal taking up two-thirds of that time. You can have anything you want from a luxury 12-course menu, ranging from caviar to just a glass of champagne, so prices vary. Yet it must be a bit bizarre knowing that if you order pheasant, one could literally crash land onto your plate. Opportunities to do a runner must be scarce, too. Kamikaze fowls aside, the venture has been such an extraordinary success that the crew behind it have branched out into board meetings, first dates and even weddings. Well, it’s certainly one way to sweep the bride off her feet! www.dinnerinthesky.com “I get vertigo just standing on a kitchen stool, so it’s nice to know some people literally have more of a ‘stomach’ for heights.” WIZZ writer Xav Judd Mount Vitosha The ever-changing ice-filled furrows and verdant greenery of this 2000m plus peak provide more than just an atmospheric backdrop to Sofia. Indeed, the city’s 1.4m citizens use it as a glorious weekend retreat, thanks to its plethora of ski slopes and amazing national park. WIZZ magazine 43 June / July <strong>2010</strong>
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