Central Dalmatia officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IGCAT (International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts, and Tourism), confirming its candidacy for the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 title. The signing was celebrated during the 29th Platform Meeting hosted by Sicily, European Region of Gastronomy 2025 – from 5–9 May 2025 – marking an important step for the region as it joined the Platform and engaged in meaningful knowledge exchange with fellow candidate and awarded regions.
The agreement was signed by Ivana Vladović, Director of the Tourist Board of Split-Dalmatia County, in the presence of Maja Franetović, also representing the Tourist Board and Dr. Diane Dodd, President of IGCAT. Dalmatia now embarks on its candidacy journey with the aim to highlight and share its rich culinary heritage and cultural identity with a broader European and global audience. Later this month, a jury of independent IGCAT experts will visit Central Dalmatia to assess its candidacy and readiness to host the title in 2027, one year after Kvarner region, also from Croatia.
Central Dalmatia enters the candidacy process with the ambition to preserve and promote its gastronomic authenticity and agricultural biodiversity, while benefitting from the insights and examples shared by other Regions of Gastronomy during the Platform Meeting. The region aims to balance tradition with innovation, safeguarding its culinary heritage while envisioning new models of sustainable tourism and food systems.
Kvarner, awarded the title for 2026 and represented by Dr. Irena Peršić Živadinov, Director of the Kvarner Region Tourist Board, fully supports Dalmatia’s candidacy as something truly wonderful for Croatia. “We genuinely hope that, if Central Dalmatia is selected, new opportunities for cross-marketing and collaboration will emerge for the benefit of all our regions because Croatia is so rich in gastronomy,” said Peršić Živadinov.
“We are thrilled to welcome Central Dalmatia into the World Regions of Gastronomy Platform as a candidate for the 2027 European title. Each region brings something unique, and we look forward to discovering the cultural and culinary treasures that Dalmatia has to offer,” stated Dr. Diane Dodd, IGCAT President.
Ivana Vladović noted the importance of learning from others while cultivating Dalmatia’s unique strengths: “It is a moment for reflection, collaboration, and mutual support. The exchange of knowledge from regions all over the world, whether awarded or candidates, is a tremendous asset for all of us.”
As the region begins its journey towards the title, it joins IGCAT’s growing Platform of regions dedicated to safeguarding culinary heritage and reimagining food roles in tourism, education and community well-being.
