Exhibition Celebrates Pál Kövi’s Legacy and Transylvanian Gastronomy

Pál Kövi

The exhibition, A Hungarian from New York – Pál Kövi (Paul Kovi) and the Transylvanian Feast opened in Bucharest, celebrating the life and work of Pál Kövi, a legendary figure in multi-ethnic Transylvanian cuisine.

The event at the Liszt Institute highlighted his journey from Hungary to the U.S., where his story became the epitome of the “American Dream,” said Deputy Secretary of State, Máté Vincze.

Pál Kövi, born 100 years ago, studied agricultural engineering before seeking a football career in Italy. After an injury, he emigrated to New York, where, alongside partners, he transformed The Four Seasons Restaurant into one of the most renowned eateries in America. Known as the “Puskás of gastronomy,” Kövi returned to Transylvania as a wealthy American and began preserving traditional recipes from the region, particularly during the Ceausescu dictatorship, when the opportunity was fleeting.

His interest in Transylvanian gastronomy stemmed from his belief in the unity of diverse culinary traditions, seeing southern European, Chinese, and Transylvanian cuisines as essential gastronomic units.

He published a cookbook, the Transylvanian Feast, which includes anecdotes and stories, was the culmination of over 20 years of research and became his life’s ambition. This work brought Transylvanian multi-ethnic cuisine to global attention.

The exhibition, which honors Kövi’s legacy, will tour museums in Transylvania and Romania. The Romanian translation of Transylvanian Feast will be available next spring. Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, the publication ensures that Kövi’s contribution to culinary history continues to inspire future generations.

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