You can make truly high-quality food out of simple food: situation report from Cvekedli in Nyíregyháza

“One of the biggest successes in recent years is that we have stayed afloat,” says Eric Gabulya. The operation is now more balanced, the system is clearer, and Cvekedli has reached a stable, predictable level. “After five years, you can really feel that we have come to terms.” In the beginning, the concept was one of the biggest challenges. The pasta-based, street food operation, the paper box serving, and the focused offering represented a new approach in the county seat.

"In Nyíregyháza, this form was completely foreign at first. It took time for the guests to understand what this type of hospitality meant and how to approach it."

However, this situation has changed dramatically in recent years. Conscious communication, continuous availability, and visual and video content also help to make the concept understandable. “Now they understand what we do. Guests know more precisely what they can expect, and they increasingly see what Cvekedli represents as a value.”

As a result of all this, the reaction of the guests took shape a lot, the initial uncertainty was gradually replaced by curiosity, and then trust. The formation of a regular audience played a key role in this: they are the ones who, in addition to the well-proven dishes, are also open to new things. “Someone said: if you don’t like it either, then I’m sure I’ll never like this dish.” This sentence clearly shows the level of trust that the place has achieved. This gives the opportunity for bolder directions to appear alongside the classic dishes.

The philosophy of the place has remained unchanged throughout: “You can get very high quality from a simple dish.” This idea defines not only the kitchen, but the entire operation. The short menu and focused offering have resulted in a system in which every element has its place. Local ingredients also regularly appear in the offer, which further strengthens the concept’s embeddedness in the region.

The physical framework of Cvekedli's operations has also changed. In addition to the previously primarily takeaway model, a sit-down area has been added, which has added a new dimension to the guest experience and made the place more comfortable for larger groups.

One important milestone in the development was the national appearance: participation in last year's Gourmet Festival meant both professional confirmation and a new audience. "Going from a street food pasta place to the Gourmet Festival was a real milestone for us." The feedback showed that the concept works in a wider environment, and that classic Hungarian pasta dishes can also stand their ground in a new context. "It is our no-holds-barred intention to put Nyíregyháza on the gastronomic map."

Strengthened after a turning point

However, the recent period has also brought about serious internal changes. The move to the capital and subsequent departure of one of the founders, Máté Gabulya, created a new situation in the company's life. "It is almost impossible to replace the departure of such a person." The redistribution of tasks, the transformation of roles and the increase in responsibility resulted in a new operating model. "In terms of stability, our third partner, Máté Délceg, is the greatest help, who in many ways took over Máté's tasks. And in the area of ​​marketing, I had to step out of my comfort zone, as my brother was previously known as the face of Cvekedli." The change ultimately strengthened the system, the leadership role was strengthened, the background work became better organized, and the team's operations also took a more conscious direction.

Building a solid team foundation is one of the most important results during this period. “Fair, humane treatment builds trust.” Communication is open, feedback is continuous, and operations are transparent. Each member of the team works in multiple roles, which simultaneously provides insight into operations and maintains diversity. “Everyone here learns every position, which helps us not to get bored with the work.”

This system proves to be functional in the long term, employees take on more responsibility, understand the processes better and develop a stronger bond with the place. The show kitchen creates a direct connection with the guests: feedback arrives immediately and becomes tangible not only for the managers but also for the entire team. This is one of the strongest motivational elements in everyday operations. The arrival of the new team members brought new momentum: fresh perspectives, new ideas and a more experimental approach appeared in the kitchen, which, building on the stable foundations, further shapes the offer.

To give something back to the city

Cvekedli's long-term goals include strengthening the local community and supporting young people. "We want to provide an answer to the emigration of young people." The planned and ongoing collaborations with local vocational training and city government serve the purpose of enabling career starters to learn in an environment where quality and approach are a given.

Future plans include new appearances and collaborations, and an ambitious project is also outlined: a possible appearance at the Nyíregyháza Zoo, which could open up a new audience for the brand. The mobility and simplicity of the concept provide an ideal basis for such an expansion. “We are often visited by tourists visiting the city because of the zoo, but with this collaboration they could reach us even more easily.

The most important lessons of the first five years

The most important lesson of the past five years can be clearly stated: “I should have made bolder decisions at the beginning.” When starting a business, uncertainty was a natural part of operations, decisions were often made over a longer period of time, and were often preceded by greater caution. However, over the years, it has become clear that decisiveness is key: a well-timed step can provide momentum, while delay can easily slow down development.

Today, decisions are made with more routine and confidence, allowing them to react to situations more quickly and decisively. “Now we know exactly where we want to go – and we are much more decisive in approaching these situations.”