Slovenia, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2021 officially joined the European Region of Gastronomy Platform on 8 October 2018, during an award ceremony organised at the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Slovenia to the EU in Brussels, during the European Week of Regions and Cities, in the presence of Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia in Brussels, Dr. Rado Genorio.
The Award was received by State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia, Tanja Strniša and General Director of Tourism Division (Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia), Renata Martinčič who acknowledged the vital role of Slovenia’s programme as European Region of Gastronomy to enhance local sustainable development.
Slovenia was awarded the title following a jury visit that took place on 18-20 July 2018 and during which the panel, chaired by President of IGCAT, Dr. Diane Dodd was especially impressed by the local gastronomic strengths and the region’s commitment to sustainability.
The region’s programme was presented in Brussels by European Region of Gastronomy Ambassador and author of the bid book Taste Slovenia, Prof. Dr. Janez Bogataj who highlighted the main focus areas for the title year. Among them, the growth of sustainable gastronomic tourism and the quality improvement of the region’s gastronomic offer; the protection of cultural and food diversity; a strengthened connection between urban and rural environments; a structured support to SMEs; and a prominent role of gastronomy in the fields of education and health.
Slovenia was awarded the European Region of Gastronomy 2021 title together with Coimbra Region (Portugal) and the Award Ceremony was followed by a tasting of local recipes from the two regions. The dishes offered demonstrated Slovenia’s landscape variety, its richness in pure products coming from an unspoilt nature and the region’s wealth of gastronomic traditions, reinterpreted to design creative and innovative food experiences.
About the European Region of Gastronomy
Candidate and awarded Regions of Gastronomy from Europe, guided by IGCAT, are working together to raise awareness about the importance of their cultural and food uniqueness and share the long-term aim to: promote a better quality of life in European regions; highlight distinctive food cultures; educate for better health and sustainability; nurture creativity; improve tourism standards; and stimulate gastronomic innovation.
About IGCAT
IGCAT is a non-profit institute established in 2012, working with regional stakeholder consortiums in the fields of gastronomy, culture, arts and tourism. It counts on the expertise of a worldwide network of experts and works in partnership with specialised intergovernmental organisations.
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by guiding, facilitating, and supporting leaders in regions to understand the potential of their distinct food, culture, arts and sustainable tourism assets.
IGCAT provides the Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the European Region of Gastronomy Platform. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award the Local Food Gift Challenge, the Top Food Experiences of the Year and the Food Film Festivals project.