Luka Pangos from MasterChef to the farmer: I am trying to use my brand to promote the farming profession and inspire others to do the same (1. (Part 1)

Luka Pangos, former winner of MasterChef Slovenia in its tenth season, has chosen a path far removed from the culinary spotlight he once enjoyed. Instead of pursuing a career in professional cooking, he has turned his attention toward agriculture, specifically farming. His goal is to promote the profession of a farmer through his newfound public recognition and to inspire others to consider this alternative lifestyle. Pangos aims to implement sustainable and regenerative farming practices, building an ecosystem that supports both nature and productivity. Pangos currently divides his time between media obligations, such as cooking for events and filming recipes, and managing his farm. He spends much of his free time working on the land, handling administrative tasks and planning future developments. His daily routine reflects a commitment to balancing public life with rural living, using his visibility to advocate for a more grounded and meaningful way of life. The decision to become a farmer was not made after his victory on MasterChef, but rather long before. He had always dreamed of starting a farm and developing agritourism, understanding that public awareness was essential to making such a venture viable. To achieve this, he leveraged the recognition gained from the show, aiming to transform his fame into a platform for promoting the agricultural profession and inspiring others to follow a similar path. Pangos credits his grandmothers and grandmother for shaping his early interest in farming. Their lives on the land left a lasting impression on him during his childhood. While his mother pursued a different path, moving from the countryside to the city and establishing a business career, Pangos eventually found himself disillusioned with office work. He realized that his true passion lay in hands-on labor, particularly in environments connected to nature and animals. He finds fulfillment in the simplicity of rural life, where he can create a lifestyle that aligns with his values. The idea of farming appeals to him not just as a means of survival, but as a way to contribute meaningfully to society by producing food that is essential to human existence. Unlike industrialized agriculture, which often prioritizes efficiency over environmental health, he envisions a model that works in harmony with nature. His vision for the farm includes ecological and regenerative methods, avoiding heavy machinery and chemical fertilizers. He plans to build a productive and enjoyable ecosystem rich in biodiversity, ensuring that livestock grazing contributes to soil health and prevents overgrowth. This approach involves careful planning, beginning with small-scale operations such as vegetable gardens and gradually expanding to include poultry, rabbits, and eventually cattle. Financially, starting a farm represents a significant investment. Pangos and his partner, Sarah Kuhar, spent three years searching for the right property, visiting around 35 potential sites. They sought land with rocky terrain and access to clean water, factors that further complicated their search. The cost of acquiring a suitable plot ranges from 300,000 to half a million euros, depending on location and condition. Despite these challenges, they believe the effort is worth it, seeing it as a long-term investment in both personal satisfaction and community sustainability.