European Young Chef Award 2021 finalists have joined their predecessors and become IGCAT Regional Chef Ambassadors, committing to promote local food from their regions, highlighting culinary diversity and contributing to saving the planet!
As IGCAT Regional Chef Ambassadors, they commit to be leaders of change for good in their future professional career, proudly and sustainably promoting their regions, heritage and food cultures. The Young Chefs joined the IGCAT Regional Chef Ambassadors network that gathers European Young Chef Award finalists since its first edition in 2016.
This recognition acknowledges the crucial role that the young chefs can play in the conservation and promotion of quality and diverse local products through innovation and creativity. Together, they commit to the common goal of adopting more environmentally, ethically, socially, culturally and economically sustainable food production and consumption practises.
After signing the agreement, each young chef prepared a traditional recipe from their region as a warm-up for the European Young Chef Award 2021 competition, to be held on 24 November, when they will present an innovative interpretation of these dishes to an international jury chaired by Michelin-starred chef, António Loureiro.
About the European Young Chef Award
The European Young Chef Award is an annual competition organised by IGCAT that gathers young culinary talents from the awarded and candidate European Regions of Gastronomy. Selected each year through local contests, finalists to the European Young Chef Award compete by innovating traditional recipes from their regions using local ingredients.
The 5th edition of the European Young Chef Award was organised and promoted by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Art and Tourism (IGCAT) and hosted by the Municipality of Braga (Portugal) in Minho, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2016. The competition was in the renovated Municipal Market of Braga on 23-24 November 2021 and gathered finalists from 9 European Regions of Gastronomy.
About the European and World Regions Of Gastronomy
Candidate and awarded European and World Regions of Gastronomy, guided by IGCAT, are working together to strengthen food security through the celebration of distinctive food cultures; create employment by stimulating creativity and gastronomic innovation; nourish children and adults through culinary and cultural education; drive environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors; support balance and sustainable tourism practices; highlight and support expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practises; and contribute to community health and well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance to protect and promote distinct regional food, culture, arts and natural assets as part of sustainable and balanced tourism and development strategies. This is essential to safeguard our planet, health, wellness and local economies.
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 founded the European and the World Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the European and World Regions of Gastronomy Platform. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the European Food Gift Challenge, the Top Websites for Foodie Travelers and the Food Film Menu.