The 12th Cycladic Gastronomy Festival Nikolaos Tselementes in Sifnos, Greece was yet again a great success. The three-day event, that took place on the 6, 7, 8th, of September, co-organised by the South Aegean European Region of Gastronomy 2019, attracted more than 6,000 visitors and various international participants. Over 15 different South Aegean islands and various international destinations participated in the festival, showcasing their traditional recipes and flavours. With the support of the South Aegean Region, the Municipality of Sifnos and of local institutions and clubs, the Sifnos Cultural Association married tradition with taste and culture and with the presence of distinguished chefs demonstrated that Sifnos could gastronomically link timeless value with modern trend.
Sifnos set a traditional table with delicacies in the picturesque square of Artemonas. Ambassador of the South Aegean – European Region of Gastronomy 2019, Chef Argiro Barbarigou and regions of Greece highlighted the Cycladic and Greek gastronomy alongside cuisines of other participating countries such as Brazil, Italy (represented by the famous Chef Francesco Pardera), Spain, and Cyprus. Once again, the Cycladic Gastronomy Festival has held up to title as one the best gastronomy festivals in Europe.
South Aegean Regional Governor, George Hatzimarkos concluded the festival with a final remark, “I have always wanted -and I think that we have achieved it- for our Region to become the ground where all these creative people can move in order to work as efficiently as possible, to make their work easier; in order to support everything that is history, culture, tradition, customs, everything that in one word composes our identity. We are the European Region of Gastronomy for 2019, a title that Greece has been awarded for the first time. I am proud that this honor reflects the work that has been done here in Sifnos as well as in all of our islands.”
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.