Şanlıurfa’s deep commitment to placing gastronomy at the heart of cultural preservation, sustainable development, and community-led growth has led to the region officially joining the World Region of Gastronomy Platform as a candidate for the 2029 Award.
As the first region from Asia to apply for this international recognition, coordinated by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT), Şanlıurfa joins a global network of regions that view food and gastronomy as powerful drivers of identity, social cohesion, education, and responsible tourism. As a candidate, Şanlıurfa is committed to working alongside other regions to promote sustainable food systems, strengthen local value chains, support food education, empower youth, and position gastronomy as a tool for intercultural dialogue and inclusive development.
The candidacy was formally announced at a special launch event in Tersane Istanbul, attended by Şanlıurfa Metropolitan MunicipalityMayor Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar, IstanbulGovernor Davut Gül, local IGCAT Expert Ufuk Keşoğlu, and leading figures from gastronomy, business, and media. The evening began with a performance by Vox Humanis, a polyphonic choir from Şanlıurfa, whose repertoire blends Anatolia’s multicultural musical heritage with Western choral tradition, reflecting the region’s identity as a UNESCO City of Music.
Mayor Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar framed the candidacy not just as an application, but as a celebration of Şanlıurfa’s unparalleled culinary legacy, one that stretches back 12,000 years and is shaped by historic landmarks like Göbeklitepe. He described the region’s gastronomy as a living link between land, tradition, and community, embodied in its culture of generosity and shared heritage, exemplified by the “Halil İbrahim Table” tradition.
This candidacy reflects a culinary heritage forged over millennia, blending agricultural innovation, diverse landscapes, and deep-rooted traditions. From the domestication of wheat to the legacy of archaeological sites like Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe, Şanlıurfa’s gastronomy transcends taste, it is a narrative of memory, identity, and connection.
A strong collaborative network supports this bid, uniting Harran University, local municipalities,GAP Administration, the Şanlıurfa Chamber of Commerce, Slow Food Türkiye, and Bureau Gastronomica. Together, they are working to revive forgotten dishes, document traditional recipes, and empower local producers by preserving ancestral seeds, ensuring gastronomy remains both a cultural cornerstone and a driver of sustainable development.
By joining the World Region of Gastronomy Platform, Şanlıurfa signals a forward-looking vision that values gastronomy not only as heritage but as a living system capable of addressing contemporary challenges. The 2029 candidacy offers an international stage to showcase the local rich food culture, creativity, and commitment to shaping resilient, inclusive, and future-oriented food systems, while strengthening cooperation across institutions, communities, and the gastronomic sector.
About the World/European Regions of Gastronomy
World Regions of Gastronomy, and European 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; driving environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors; supporting balance and sustainable tourism practices; highlighting and supporting expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practices; and contributing to community health and well-being.
About IGCAT
International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance of protecting and promoting distinct regional food, culture, arts and natural assets as part of sustainable and balanced tourism and development strategies. This is essential to safeguarding 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 World/European Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the World Regions of Gastronomy and European Regions of Gastronomy Platforms. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the Young Chef Award, the World Food Gift Challenge, the Top Foodie Websites and the international Food Film Menu.
