Preserving Tradition through Technology: Rudolfovo’s Virtual Culinary Experience

At the project partner Rudolfovo – Science and Technology Centre from Novo mesto, they’re proud to contribute to the Interreg Danube Region Programme project Culinary Trail by blending traditional heritage with immersive digital technology.

In the pilot action, they developed a unique VR experience that takes users on a serene virtual boat ride along the Krka River, where people can be able to explore traditional dishes from across the Danube region. Users will interact with a tablet to browse recipes, view images, and learn the cultural background of each dish, all fetched live from a central catalogue via API.

To make the experience more engaging, we integrated OpenAI’s ChatGPT to estimate calorie content and even suggest how many steps you’d need to walk it off, which are tracked using the headset’s motion sensors.

In a second scene, users can meet Amelia, our AI-powered avatar developed with Convai. Amelia can answer questions, share recipes, and talk about the project in real time, bringing storytelling to life through voice and animation.

Using 360° footage from the actual location and custom-designed avatars, we ensured the digital experience remains grounded in local reality.

This project shows that digital innovation can serve as a bridge between the past and future, making cultural heritage accessible, engaging, and unforgettable.