NEWS & UPDATES

In a proud milestone for the United Kingdom, North-East England has officially joined the European Region of Gastronomy Platform as a candidate for the 2029 Award. This marks the first UK region to enter the prestigious network, highlighting its vibrant food culture, community-driven initiatives, and strong commitment to sustainable development through gastronomy. The official signing of the Protocol

The South Aegean region continues to affirm its position as a gastronomic hub of Greece. This year, 20 restaurants across the Cyclades and Dodecanese islands were recognized among the best in the country at the prestigious “Chrysoi Skoufoi” (Golden Chef’s Hat) awards, organized by Athinorama, Greece’s leading gastronomic guide. A total of 14 restaurants in

In Bucharest, Romania’s three European Regions of Gastronomy, Harghita (awarded 2027), Banat (candidate 2028), and Dobrogea (candidate 2029), have joined forces in a new formal collaboration. The International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) is excited to highlight this milestone, marked by a protocol signed at the National Institute of Heritage (INP), which lays

Food is more than nourishment, it is memory, landscape, identity and the possibility to regenerate a region. During a dynamic tutorial on Stakeholder Involvement for members of the World Region of Gastronomy Platform, Jaume Gomila, IGCAT Vice-President, invited members to reflect on how shared ideas can translate into lasting impact. How can regions

Armenia’s growing commitment to placing gastronomy at the heart of cultural preservation, sustainable territorial development, and community-led economic resilience has led to the country officially joining the World Region of Gastronomy Platform as a candidate for the 2028 Award. Armenia is the first region from the Caucasus to apply for this international recognition, coordinated

Drawing on her experience establishing the award-winning Scottish Food Guide in 2002, Wendy Barrie, cook, food writer, and IGCAT Expert, shared practical insights on creating a credible and enduring food guide, in the recent IGCAT webinar: Raising Standards through Food Guides. She emphasised that a successful guide goes far beyond listing restaurants or producers, it

An international Jury composed of five international experts considered the application of Jeddah-Taif for the title World Region of Gastronomy 2027. After reviewing the bid book titled Jeddah-Taif: Everlasting and Abundant submitted on 4 December 2025, they took part in a Jury visit to the region, 1-4 February 2026. The aim of the visit was

Sicily’s year as European Region of Gastronomy 2025 has marked a defining chapter in the island’s cultural and gastronomic history, demonstrating how food heritage, sustainability, and young talent can be mobilised to create lasting international impact. In celebration of the region’s gastronomy, a legacy event was held on 13 January 2026 in

In a significant step for the Middle East and the global gastronomy community, Jeddah–Taif has been officially welcomed as a candidate for the World Region of Gastronomy 2027 Award, joining IGCAT’s international Platform of Regions committed to sustainable, inclusive, and culturally rooted food systems. This candidacy builds on the regional legacy established by Aseer Region,