INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GASTRONOMY,CULTURE, ARTS AND TOURISM,newsletter

 

IGCAT Newsletter Fourth Quarter 2025 IGCAT VOICE

The European Young Chef Award (EYCA) has grown over the years into a unique platform that celebrates talent, creativity, and culinary heritage across Europe. From its very first editions in Catalonia (2016), it has inspired young chefs to explore the richness of regional cuisines while fostering innovation and professional growth, therefore it is an honour to bring this competition back “home”. For participants, the EYCA, as organised by IGCAT, is more than a competition: it is an opportunity to connect with peers, learn from experienced mentors, and bring their own culinary stories to life.

For their regions, it provides visibility and recognition, promotes heritage and local traditions and highlights the value of gastronomy as part of cultural identity. Catalonia’s recognition as a World Region of Gastronomy in 2025 underscores the transformative power of initiatives like the EYCA. Culinary and Hospitality schools have embraced this momentum, integrating creativity, sustainability, and heritage into their programmes, with the EYCA acting as a catalyst for growth and innovation on tradition. Witnessing young chefs develop, collaborate, and share their passion has been a source of pride and inspiration. The EYCA demonstrates how culinary education, culture, and community can come together to build meaningful opportunities for the next generation, shaping a vibrant, interconnected European gastronomic landscape. Lluís Serra IGCAT Ambassador Managing Director EUHT StPOL President EUHOFA International

News from IGCAT and the World Regions of Gastronomy

Winner of the European Young Chef Award 2025 announced! 28 November 2025 - Ioannis Liapakis from Crete European Region of Gastronomy 2026 was awarded European Young Chef for 2025 on 27 November. With the dish Erevinthos, Ioannis impressed the international jury, chaired by Xavier Pellicer – a leading figure in plant-ba… Read more

Manabí Hosts First Young Chef Competition 11 December 2025 - Manabí, World Region of Gastronomy 2026, successfully organised and hosted the inaugural Manabí Young Chef Competition 2025, marking a significant step in the region’s commitment to cultivating young culinary talent and strengthening its… Read more

Central Dalmatia officially Awarded European Region of Gastronomy 2027 28 November 2025 - The International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Art, and Tourism has Awarded Central Dalmatia the prestigious title of European Region of Gastronomy 2027, recognising the region’s outstanding commitment to local gastronomy, cultural heritag… Read more

Regions of Gastronomy Exchange Knowledge and Innovation at InnoDays 2025 3 December 2025 - IGCAT is pleased to highlight the valuable exchange that took place at InnoDays 2025, an innovation event hosted by the Region of Crete, European Region of Gastronomy 2026. The event offered… Read more

Young Chefs Champion Local Food and Sustainable Gastronomy 25 November 2025 - The European Young Chef Award 2025 finalists have joined past honorees as IGCAT Regional Chef Ambassadors, committing to champion their regions’ local foods, celebrate culinary diversity, and promote sust… Read more

International jury recommends Nordland for European Region of Gastronomy 2028 title 14 November 2025 - An international jury comprising of four international experts, accompanied by IGCAT’s President, Diane Dodd PhD considered the application of Nordland region for the title European Region of Gastronomy 2028. After reviewing the bid book… Read more

IGCAT President Participates in Slow Food ESPAM MFL 2025 Event with a Keynote Address 4 December 2025 - Dr. Diane Dodd, President of IGCAT, delivered a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 13th Edition of the Slow Food ESPAM MFL 2025 Event. The Carrera de Turismo y Hotelería y Gas… Read more

Rethinking Public Food Procurement for a Sustainable Future 10 November 2025 - The transformative potential of public food procurement to drive systemic change towards sustainability and community wellbeing took centre stage during… Read more

Unveiling the winners of the Food Film Menu 2025! 30 October 2025 - The Food Film Menu 2025 winners were officially announced at an inspiring Award Ceremony held in Gozo, Malta, on 27 October 2025, hosted by Gozo, European Region of Gastronomy 2026. The event gathered representatives from the Regions of Gastronomy, filmmakers, local and international… Read more

IGCAT advocates for food and landscape at the 14ᵗʰ Advisory Forum on Cultural Routes in Cappadocia 27 October 2025 - The International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism was honoured to participate in the 14ᵗʰ Advisory Forum on Cultural Routes, held in the breathtaking region of Cappadocia, Türkiye. The Forum, organised by the Counc… Read more

IGCAT Executive Board meets in Gozo and sets 2025–2030 course 25 October 2025 - IGCAT’s Executive Board met in Gozo to approve IGCAT’s 2025–2030 Roadmap: From Recognition to Measurable Impact. The plan confirms IGCAT’s consolidated global brand, active role in international forums, and… Read more

Open Call for World and European Regions of Gastronomy 2029 Join IGCAT’s growing Platform and work with us to protect and promote your cultural and food diversity! Deadline for joining the Platform: 30 Jan. 2026 Deadline for applications: 31 May 2026 For more information: Open Call for World Regions of Gastronomy 2029

Food Atlas Webinar: Exploring Food Heritage through a UNESCO-Supported Initiative 9 October 2025 – IGCAT recently hosted the webinar: “International Food Atlas”, presenting an ambitious global initiative to document, safeguard, and transmit foodways as living heritage. The session was org... Read more

Celebrating Food Stories Across the Globe Food Film Menu 2025 1 October 2025 - IGCAT’s International Food Film Menu 2025 has officially announced its films awarded in 14 categories, showcasing a mouth-watering journey across the culinary traditions, innovations, and talents of regions around the globe. The Category Awards Gala… Read more

Current news from around the globe

Global impact at a glance - Plastic Free Foundation 2025 Report By Plastic Free Foundation 19 November 2025 - The Plastic Free Foundation has released its 2025 Impact Report, highlighting the global achievements of Plastic Free July. In 2025, an estimated 174 million people across 190 countries… Read more

IGCAT at the launch of the Global Food Systems and SDGs Report: 5ᵗʰ World Shiology Forum in Haikou, China By Shiology Forum 1 November 2025 - The International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) is proud to have contributed to the successful launch and presentation of the Global Food Systems and Sustainable Develo… Read more

Tourism Food for Good: Co-Creating Sustainable Food Systems in the Tourism Sector By UN Tourism 28 October 2025 - A new global initiative, Tourism Food for Good, has been launched by UN Tourism, the TUI Care Foundation, and the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Resilience and Sustainable Development… Read more

Celebration Meets Urgency at Latest Seed Vault Opening in Svalbard By Crop Trust 22 October 2025 - The Svalbard Global Seed Vault welcomed over 21,000 new seed samples from 20 genebanks worldwide, including first-time deposits from the Philippines and… Read more

2025 UNESCO framework for cultural statistics, Part II: a classification guide By UNESCO 14 October 2025 - UNESCO has released the 2025 Framework for Cultural Statistics, Part II, introducing a comprehensive classification guide aimed at enhancing the measurement and analysis of cultura… Read more

IGCAT carries out research, collects knowledge and develops projects to support creative solutions in regional and local development. This newsletter is just a small selection of news from the past three months. IGCAT compiles trends and facts from around the world. www.igcat.org info@igcat.org

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