Baklava with eggplant, chocolates with brandy, lollipops with herbs that are an aphrodisiac, lutenitsa with strawberries were just some of the creative delicacies that students from the Institute of Culinary Arts at the Higher School of Management (VUM) in Varna showed on Wednesday.

The unique Food Innovation Exhibition is part of their practical exam to complete their training.

In addition to their own innovative products, young people must also impress the testers with their ideas for their implementation on the market.

Chief Hugh Buten, Director of the Institute, Associate Professor Maya Ivanova, Head of the Department of Tourism at the educational institution, Associate Professor Irina Petkova, Program Director of a program at VUM's strategic academic partner Cardiff Metropolitan University participate in their assessment.

External professionals from the culinary sector participate in the assessment.

Our national drink is brandy, but there are no candies with it, the creator of the innovative chocolate product "Bulgarian Heart" Mariyan Radoslavov told BTA.

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He uses grape and apricot brandy for his two types of candies.

They also contain raisins, dried apricots and caramel.

Radoslavov specified that he does everything by hand and for this reason he plans to offer his products through an online store.

Vladislav Korotkov from Kazakhstan performed with lollipops, with the effect of an aphrodisiac.

He revealed that they contained Mursal tea, lavender and other Bulgarian herbs.

There is an effect from their use, Korotkov told with a smile and added that his product is healthy and therefore can be offered not only in organic stores, but also in pharmacies.

Imran Mustafa, who is from Silistra, presented two types of baklava - with chocolate and eggplant, and with carrots.

The recipe for the traditional Turkish cake has been changed, even the crusts are made differently, the young cook pointed out.

She said that she inherited her mastery from her family. Her dream is to open a pastry shop in her hometown, where she can offer her products.

Kiara Martinova presented herself with vegan corn yogurt.

According to her, the products are suitable for vegetarians and vegans, they do not contain gluten or added sugar.

She plans to offer the "yogurt", which does not actually contain milk, but is supplemented with elderberries or raspberries, in organic stores.