ALFAS IVANAUSKAS

Virtuvės mitų griovėjai (VMG) founder and visionary, a chief editor of VMG, the world’s best culinary magazine for several years in a row, an author of 21 books, a TV and radio presenter, a motivator, and a lecturer.

 

In 2011, Ivanauskas started a culinary VMG project and turned it into a company that owns dozens of brands. The biggest ones: VMG culinary magazine (the world’s best culinary magazine for several years in a row), VMG dessert show (setting new celebration trends), a lifestyle magazine AŠ Ikona, a culinary magazine Verdu ir Kepu, a gastronomic portal vmgonline.lt, VMG Akademija improving the level of service in Lithuania, a social project VMG Mokykla (modern culinary classrooms are fitted and the first culinary student’s book was published), a guide that united all the Baltic states 99 Places of Taste in the Baltics, a culinary show Kulinariniai triukai (the record of the longest live show in Lithuania was set and confirmed by Factum) and a personal record was set for the second time of the longest live TV show Tvariai 30, a culinary TV project Alfo Didysis Šou and books that are breaking the records of reading, winning world’s culinary awards, and promoting Lithuania for many years.

FOOD DESIGN

Alfas Ivanauskas is one of the first visionaires in Lithuanian food design sector. Starting food experiments from the 6 years old, he always searches for the new ideas, how to present the food more creative, but always aesthetic. For example, during his photo shootings the cake can be rolled up to the carpet, and the candies can be put on the nails.

 

A. Ivanauskas spends more than 150 days traveling and visiting the most interesting gastronomical places. In his opinion, traveling and new people is the biggest inspiration.

 

Lastly those creative ideas became a food design agency, which includes food communications for the biggest Lithuanian companies. His work as a food stylist is reflected in all culinary publications, published by VMG; on culinary TV shows; on restaurant menus.

EVENTS

From 2006, while working in a field of event organizing, he created many exclusive events: private, unexpected solutions; unique dinners for two; dessert shows for thousands of people. Among his well-known guests is sir Richard Branson. In 2013, VMG created for him a very special Lithuanian dinner.

 

AMBASSADORY

 

A. Ivanauskas is the ambassador in Lithuania of the world-famous brands – DANSUKKER, IITTALA, KOTANYI, NESPRESSO, PERGALĖ, ZYLE.

 

RECORDS

 

In 2017, June 15-16, A. Ivanauskas, for more than twenty-four hours, was presenting a live TV show ‘Culinary Tricks. 24 hours’. This TV show was announced as the longest live TV show in Lithuania, and included in the Lithuania’s book of the records.

 

At 22.22 on 22/2/2022 Alfas broke his own record and hosted the longest live TV show TVARIAI 30 (SUSTAINABLY 30) which lasted for 30 hours and 22 minutes. Moreover, he set a personal record for the longest-hosted TV show. It marked the beginning of a new project on sustainability that aims to present the philosophy in an exciting way by providing specific cases as well as to tell you how to recycle properly, and how to consume less and consciously.

TELEVISION

‘Culinary Tricks’ (TV3)

‘Culinary Tricks: Experiments’ (TV3)

‘Culinary Tricks: Traveling’ (TV3)

‘Culinary Tricks’ (TV3)

‘Around the World with the Celebrity’ (TV3)

‘Racing of Taste’ (TV3)

‘Culinary Trips’ (TV3)

‘VMG Culinary Magazine’ („Lietuvos rytas TV“)

‘Kitchen Myth Busters’ (TV3)

‘Culinary Detective’ (TV3)

‘Alfas home alone’ (Delfi TV)

‘Alfas live’ (Delfi TV)

‘Alfas great show’ (Delfi TV)

‘Alfo Vila’ (Delfi TV)

MOTIVATION

A. Ivanauskas strongly believes that food is not only for eating. It can become the tool for creativity. In 2017, he published the book ‘Play, Cook, Kiss: Culinary Tricks’, which became the first culinary motivational book in the Baltics. The book is dedicated to death, ‘which every day inspires us to love and taste the life.’

 

In 2018, the book was runner-up in the best books of European TV hosts, awarded by ‘World Gourmand Cookbook Awards’.

 

A. Ivanauskas is sharing his experience and insights in various different events. He is having lectures for company leaders and for the professionals; inspiring students to follow their dreams. As a lecturer, he is breaking all the stereotypes about how the presentation should look, and promoting not to be afraid to leave your comfort zone. For example, once he took a 20 kilo fish on the stage in front of 7,000 people. Another time, he cut his shirt, just to show that simply there are no ‘lucky shirts’. In 2016, he received lots of attention with his presentation in LOGIN, the biggest exhibition of technologies and innovation in the Baltics, called ‘To Make Lithuania well-known in 7 minutes’.

EVENTS SUMMARY

  • In March 2024, was published a new cookbook for kids by one of the most popular children’s characters, Kakė Makė and Alfas Ivanauskas. It is for those who love savouring, traveling, cooking, experimenting, playing and celebrating.
  • In December 2023, Alfas gave all his followers and viewers a key from a new Christmas book Culinary Hotel containing festive and gourmet temptations.
  • In June 2023, Alfas Ivanauskas was the first in the world to publish a unique, interactive, free book Kai norisi (pa)lepinti (In The Mood Of Pampering) that was created in cooperation with AI.
  • In June 2023, a unique book Malda Skoniui (A Prayer to Flavour) received worldwide recognition and became the winner in the World Gourmand Cookbook Awards category of the best design and art culinary book in the world.
  • In 2023, Alfas Ivanauskas and VMG team organised the first Truffle Festival in Vilnius, Lithuania. People could taste exceptional truffle meals in restaurants, purchase these culinary jewels in gourmet shops, take part in tastings, and lectures, and learn how to use this original delicacy every day correctly and in an original way.
  • In December 2022, Alfas presented a book on sustainability „Man. Perduok kitam“ (It’s For Me. Pass It On) containing over 100 tips on sustainability in everyday life.
  • In December 2022, like every year, Alfas presented his latest e-cookbook „Kartu Kalėdos“ (Christmas Together) to his followers and viewers. It contains festive recipes, sustainable ideas for decoration, and tips.
  • In the latest summer season of 2022 shows, the chef launched an exceptional segment „Alfas mieste“ (Alfas In The City) for the „Alfas Didysis šou“ (Alfas Great Show). Viewers could enjoy the views of Vilnius city center, the winding river, and unique easily made recipes by the chef.
  • In the autumn of 2022, the iconic chef Alfas Ivanauskas in cooperation with Charlie Pizza successfully presented three new pizzas prepared by his extraordinary recipes. You can try them at 18 pizzerias in Lithuania.
  • In June 2022 Alfas Ivanauskas presented a virtual book of summer recipes Sunkissed and Lured by Me, which consists of even 200 pages of the most delicious summer ideas. The chef targets 7 sun-ripen summer ingredients: cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelons, berries, zucchini, carrots, and peas.
  • At 22:22 on 2022.02.22 even two Lithuanian records were set: the longest live TV show TVARIAI 30 (SUSTAINABLY 30) that lasted for 30 hours 22 minutes, and a personal record of the longest hosted live TV show that launched the new project on sustainability. Alfas Ivanauskas hosted the show without any breaks.
  • In February of 2022, a unique, limited edition book A Prayer to a Flavour was published. Its exceptional art installation was presented in the Town Hall, in Vilnius.
  • In February of 2022, Alfas Ivanauskas introduced courses 99 Culinary Tricks. Here he revealed never heard of and never seen culinary tricks including those from his shows and previous training: from choice of ingredients to creation of recipes; from flavour matching to table decoration.
  • On December 6, 2021, Alfas presented his thirteenth book Alfas home (not) alone. Christmas II where you can find tips on cooking and home decor.
  • In the autumn of 2021 Alfas Ivanauskas launched an updated Alfas’ Great Show – the longest and the biggest culinary show in the history of Lithuania.
  • In the summer of 2021 in cooperation with McDonald’s, Alfas Ivanauskas launched his newly created Maestro™ burgers with beef and chicken to celebrate the McDonald’s® 25th anniversary in Lithuania.
  • In the summer of 2021 Alfas Ivanauskas presented a new ebook Alfas Alone in Nature. Taste Summer. It contains a lot of new recipes for picnics and summer celebrations.
  • In 2021 Alfas made the first show for dogs that can be watched not only by you, but by your pets as well. Show is with sounds that attract the attention of dogs. There are a lot of delicious and useful recipes for pets in the show.
  • In February of 2021 Alfas opened his online school of culinary creativity where people are taught to create recipes and to discover new combinations of tastes.
  • In December 2020 Alfas presented the new ebook Alfas Home Alone. Christmas to all Lithuanian people. Everyone can give it as a present for others and read it free of charge.
  • During quarantine in 2020 Alfas Ivanauskas presented his animated cooking ebook Alfas Home Alone. It was a free gift for all Lithuanian people and was read more than 120,000 times.
  • During quarantine in March 2020 he started a unique and the first in the world live culinary show. Its popularity exceeded all expectations and was watched by more that 2.5 mln people. The project is still continuing on DELFI
  • In 2019 the author of the book initiated the first culinary reading room in the Baltic states in the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania by presenting the collection of more than 400 books.
  • In 2019 in cooperation with You & Oil brand the first in the world edible cosmetics FOOD SHOT was created.
  • In 2018 the kitchen myths buster created the biggest Lithuanian culinary show broadcast on the popular DELFI
  • In 2017 the live show was broadcast for more than 24 hours and recognized by agency Forum as the longest live Lithuanian television show and included in the book of Lithuanian records.
  • One of 12 books by the author Cook. Kiss: Culinary Tricks is the first culinary motivational book in the Baltic states, listed in the second place among the best European books by TV hosts in World Gourmand Cookbook Awards.
  • In 2014 the ideas generator received the Global Lithuanian Award for promoting global standing of Lithuania.
  • In 2014 the culinary magazine by VMG was recognized as the best in the world by World Gourmand Cookbook Awards.
  • In 2014 the explorer of taste initiated publishing of the first VMG School: Culinary Students Book and giving it as a present for all state schools.
  • Since 2014 the unique VMG dessert show has been promoting Kitchen Myth Busters in Lithuania and all over the world.
  • Since 2013 the culinary guru has opened 7 culinary classes as a part of VMG School
  • Since 2013 the kitchen myth buster has been creating images and generating ideas for the most famous restaurants and well-known food brands in the Baltic states.
  • In 2012 the visionary of VMG launched the first in the country culinary – gastronomic portal lt.
  • Since 2011 A.Ivanauskas has been creating and hosting some of the most popular cooking shows on television, radio and online.