Landscape and local producers from Galway-West of Ireland, European Region of Gastronomy 2018 were featured in Ireland’s RTÉ national television programme Nationwide on 16 May 2018. The programme, presented by Anne Cassin, visited the Wild Atlantic Way Food Festival in Connemara and took the opportunity to offer to the wide public an insight of Galway-West of Ireland’s programme as European Region of Gastronomy, highlighting what the title means for the region and its community.
“For us, it is about having a framework where we can collaborate and bring all the different partners together: from our farmers to our fishermen, to our producers, to our restaurateurs, educators, health professionals all working together around a theme. It is really about celebrating our food culture and cultural diversity” says Director of Galway Economic, Rural & Community Development, Alan Farrell, who adds “it is a huge opportunity for local producers. They see it as a marketing tool and also a tool that brings people together in terms of networking.”
Interviewed at the launch of Galway-West of Ireland European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2018 on 16 March, IGCAT President, Dr. Diane Dodd affirms that the jury in charge of recommending the title “was incredibly impressed by the amount and variety of local producers innovating and also conserving, protecting and promoting the local food traditions” and that “they felt Galway-West of Ireland has a really good plan for the future that started with their bid book and showed how public, private, third sector and knowledge institutions are coming together to raise awareness about the distinctiveness” of the region’s “food and cultural diversity.”
Coordinator of Galway-West of Ireland, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2018, Elaine Donohue reports that the region’s “designation is From the Ground Up – Feeding Our Future and everything we do is based around this theme.” She continues: “In West of Ireland, we have a wonderful food industry, from farm to fork, from sea to plate. We often don’t realise the cultural heritage we have around food, but in Galway it is everywhere, no matter where you look. 2018 is our springboard, a platform from which to kick off and celebrate our food industry, but we will continue and grow year on year. The food industry is a critical industry for the West of Ireland and can benefit every inch of our region.”
Watch full episode at rte.ie
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.