IGCAT (International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism), proud partners of Slow Food, was present at the online seminar held on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, to launch the new policy brief: “What’s the Deal? Making EU Agrifood Trade Work for Better Food Systems”. The policy brief from Slow Food urges the European Union
The session brought together global experts to review a restructured draft report, which now features a more concise, problem-driven layout of 10 chapters. Discussions focused on three thematic sections that map the core challenges in the global food system and a revised methodological framework underpinning the report’s analysis. The International Institute
Strongly committed to sustainably preserve and promote its food and cultural diversities, Gozo officially joined the World Regions of Gastronomy Platform and aims to present a candidacy for the European Region of Gastronomy 2026 title. A protocol agreement was signed between IGCAT President, Diane Dodd PhD and Gozo Regional Council’s
IGCAT and Slow Food have joined forces to support the safeguard and promotion of cultural, food and biodiversity. This new collaboration was formalised on 15 December at the Saudi Feast Food Festival in Riyadh, where a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between President of IGCAT, Diane Dodd PhD and Director General of Slow Food, Paolo Di
The first French region to receive this important accolade, Hauts-de-France was officially handed the European Region of Gastronomy 2023 title by the President of the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) on 10 October 2022. The ceremony also offered the opportunity to publicly launch a call for local stakeholders and projects to join the
Saimaa Region (Finland) officially joined the European Region of Gastronomy Platform with the intention to bid for the European Region of Gastronomy 2024 title. A protocol agreement was signed between Saimaa Region and IGCAT on 30 November 2021 during the 23rd European Region of Gastronomy Platform meeting. Teija Rautiainen from
IGCAT has started tracking new trends and collecting information from partners across the globe that offer in-depth knowledge, practical methodologies and tools to take action against food waste in a quest to help our awarded World and European Regions of Gastronomy meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Food Waste Prevention and
An international jury consisting of four international experts (members of IGCAT) having the additional experience of coming from already awarded European Regions of Gastronomy, have considered the application of Hauts-de-France for the title European Region of Gastronomy 2023. After reviewing the bid book Explore Our Food, Uncover Our Hearts, which
Kuopio officially opens its kick-off year as European Region of Gastronomy 2020-21 with the theme of Life According to Nature’s Rhythm. The Opening Ceremony took place on 11 September 2020 with a special focus on nature, healthy food and well-being. Kuopio’s programme aims to favour sustainable development based on cross-sectoral cooperation among
With a focus on how to ensure survival of hospitality, tourism, events and culture related businesses in the economic and social crisis generated by the coronavirus pandemic, President of IGCAT and Executive Director of the World Regions of Gastronomy Platform, Diane Dodd, PhD offered a series of three online lectures organised by CISP, as part of the CROSSDEV project. The aim
The Covid-19 disaster and its impact on people’s lives and Food&Beverage businesses (particularly in the fields of tourism, culture, hotels, restaurants, community life, etc.) was the subject of the World Leadership Conference (WLC) on Monday 27 April 2020 hosted by Indonesia. WLC consists of entrepreneurs and top leaders in their
Iter Vitis is a cultural route of the Council of Europe dedicated to wine landscapes and the heritage of wine production that has forged civilisations. This Cultural Route unites different wine producing countries including France, Croatia, Israel, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. It is a point of discovery for
An international conference of the Iter Vitis European Cultural Route, took place in Motovun, Istria County on November 14-16, where IGCAT’s President was a key note speaker. The From heritage to brand conference, held as part of the Iter Vitis European Cultural Route General Assembly, brought together more than 200
The protection and promotion of local cultural and food diversity is increasingly becoming a vital means to nurture sustainable and inclusive growth at regional level. This is the powerful message of The S Plan, where President of IGCAT, Dr. Diane Dodd warns about the risks of losing our biodiversity and
IGCAT recently received international expert, Dr. Carlos Fernandes from the Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, Portugal. During his visit, he reported on the work that Minho is doing as European Region of Gastronomy 2016 in terms of development and empowerment of local establishments. As one of the founder regions
In recent years, food has become essential for travellers to experience different cultures and lifestyle. Gastronomy has acquired a central role as a leverage for destinations and tourism consumption has developed a supply chain based on local and quality products, as well as the establishment of an own niche market.
