IGCAT News

IGCAT Newsletter First Quarter 2020 IGCAT VOICE

China is a historical country of gastronomy and birthplace of many culinary traditions and, with the outbreak of a novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) local people are taking more care of what they eat and food hygiene. Chinese citizens, like most inhabitants around the globe expressed anger, fear and even disgust when the source of NCP was traced to wild animals. Nearly 97% are against eating wild animals and about 79% are against using wildlife products including fur and bones (from an online survey conducted by Peking University Center for Nature Society and other partners).

From the experience of the epidemic, we can learn that gastronomy is not just about food or nutrition, it is also the fundamental pillar of health and well-being. A better life style and way of eating are capable of reducing risks of the onset of disease. Changing eating habits to promote good health is a challenge for all governments despite indications that suggest consumers and visitors are demanding healthier options. This is why IGCAT has chosen to focus on Food, Well-being and Wellness for our next annual meeting to be held in Kuopio, Finland in September. China’s government has moved fast, with comprehensive, stringent preventive measures to stop the disease from spreading, banning illegal trade of wildlife and consumption of wild animals. In order to empower local communities, local authorities are also cooperating with food and civil-society associations to share knowledge as widely as possible, to inspire and encourage people to focus on more sustainable and healthier consumer behaviour. We will manage this crisis and with a new focus on food, health and well-being there is light at the end of the tunnel! Jiao Hui IGCAT Expert Focal Point of Chengdu with UNESCO Creative Cities Network IGCAT News

Focussing on food, well-being and wellness tourism 27 March - IGCAT's Annual Expert Meeting 2020 aims to explore how the combination of gastronomy, arts, culture and nature can contribute to health and well-being both for local citizens and discerning visitors. The meeting will be hosted by Kuopio, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2020-2021 … Read more

Food Film Menu 2020 officially launched! 12 February - IGCAT has just opened a call for submissions to the Food Film Menu 2020 competition with the aim to place a spotlight on awarded and candidate Regions of Gastronomy and their culinary heritage. IGCAT launched the competition with the aim to collect short food films that will help raise awareness … Read more

Tourism Manifesto calls for support to the European tourism sector 20 March - The European Tourism Manifesto alliance recently published a statement urging the European Commission and national governments to adopt supportive measures to limit the COVID-19 outbreak’s impact on the European tourism sector. As a member organisation … Read more

What future for arts education? 21 February - Making the case for a renovated and stronger role of the arts in contemporary education systems, D. Paul Schafer states “The arts and sciences are mutually complementary rather than mutually exclusive as well as cooperative rather than competitive when it comes to researching and finding solutions to a whole set of basic human problems … Read more

News from the Regions of Gastronomy

Regions of Gastronomy: a force for good when they work together 3 April - In light of the significant impact that the current coronavirus crisis is having on their communities, the European Regions of Gastronomy guided by IGCAT are joining forces to support their local economies. A first brainstorming webinar was held on … Read more

Trondheim hosts and shines at Michelin Nordic Countries 2020 26 March - Trondheim-Trøndelag, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022 strengthened its position on the international gastronomic scene, as the city of Trondheim hosted the Michelin Nordic Stars 2020 announcement on 17 February 2020. A huge success for Norway’s restaurants in … Read more

Menorca encourages local consumption 30 March - Despite the huge challenges brought about by the COVID-19 global outbreak, Menorca is strengthening its support to local producers by encouraging the island’s community to opt for local, fresh, seasonal and sustainable products. On 8 January 2020, IGCAT awarded Menorca the European Region of Gastronomy … Read more

Kuopio's gastronomy captivates Lonely Planet 9 January - Kuopio is ready to celebrate its European Region of Gastronomy 2020 title as highlighted by Lonely Planet. In the article Finnish your food in Kuopio: European Region of Gastronomy 2020, the famous travel website offers a glimpse on Kuopio region's most characteristics activities related to … Read more

Slovenia to acknowledge local green gastronomy 18 March - In an effort to build a lasting legacy for its European Region of Gastronomy 2021 title, Slovenia recently announced a plan to integrate sustainable gastronomy into the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism. A certification programme implemented at national level, the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism (GSST) … Read more

Creative Tastebuds 2020 conference postponed to 2021 31 March - Due to the coronavirus pandemic which is currently affecting the global events agenda, the Creative Tastebuds 2020 conference has been postponed to 3-4 May 2021. "How can our sense of taste save the planet?" is the theme of this interdisciplinary symposium on taste and sustainability to be held in Aarhus … Read more

Coimbra Region brands and boosts the quality of its food events 25 March - Considered one of the 7 Gastronomic Wonders of Portugal, the chafana was celebrated at the 9º Festival Gastronómico da Chanfana (9th Chafana da Lousã Gastronomic Festival), the first event officially branded with Coimbra Region, European Region of Gastronomy … Read more