IGCAT has officially announced the European Young Chef Award 2021 that will take place in the renovated Municipal Market of Braga in Minho, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2016, on 23-24 November 2021.
Under the theme Innovation on Tradition, the European Young Chef Award will gather finalists of local contests held in the awarded and candidate European Regions of Gastronomy who will compete by innovating traditional recipes from their regions using local ingredients.
The finalists’ creativity, skills and ability to communicate the story of their dishes will be evaluated by an international jury comprised of chefs and experts from different fields such as culture, tourism, hospitality and the creative sectors.
Sustainability will also play a key role in the assessment of the young chefs, who will need to demonstrate their capacity to reduce food waste and single-use plastics in the kitchen, as well as ensure a balanced use of meat/fish ingredients and vegetables in their dishes.
By promoting innovations on traditional cuisine, highlighting sustainable food cultures and supporting local food products, the European Young Chef Award is a powerful tool to raise young chefs’ awareness on the importance to preserve regional food and cultural diversity, as well as local plant and animal varieties throughout their professional career.
While the Covid-19 pandemic prevented the celebration of the competition in 2020, it made clear that, now more than ever, the philosophy and aims of the European Young Chef Award are crucial to support local sustainable food systems and cultures, especially in times of crisis.
The European Young Chef Award counts on the continuous support of its official ambassador, world-renowned chef Joan Roca, who has endorsed the competition’s principles since its first edition in 2016.
For more information about the European Young Chef Award 2021, please download the Official Brochure and visit the dedicated website!
About the Regions of Gastronomy Platform
Candidate and awarded Regions of Gastronomy, guided by IGCAT, are working together to raise awareness about the importance of their cultural and food uniqueness; stimulate creativity and gastronomic innovation; educate for better nutrition; improve sustainable tourism standards; highlight distinctive food cultures; and strengthen community well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance to safeguard and promote distinct food, culture, arts and sustainable tourism assets. This is essential to balance against globalised food trends that are impacting on our planet, health 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 provides the Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the European and WorldRegions of Gastronomy Platform. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the European Food Gift Challenge, the Top Visitor Experience and the Food Film Menu.