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PRESS RELEASE 19 March 2026 Looking for your next unforgettable foodie experience? Discover the Top 10 Foodie Websites 2026, curated by IGCAT to guide you through extraordinary culinary adventures. Unveiled at a gala event held on 19 March in Opatija, hosted by Kvarner, European Region of Gastronomy Awarded 2026, IGCAT’s Top 10 Foodie Websites 2026 showcase a curated selection of exceptional, innovative, and culturally rich gastronomic experiences worldwide. From immersive food and wine tastings, farm and factory tours, and cookery classes, to craft-focused activities, food and wine routes, vibrant markets and fairs, these websites offer a diverse array of unforgettable culinary adventures. Each platform is committed to promoting local gastronomy, supporting producers, and celebrating the unique food cultures that make every destination special. The Gala was moderated by Borna Šmer, a respected Croatian TV news reporter, and honoured by the presence of distinguished guests, including IGCAT President Dr. Diane Dodd and Dr. Irena Peršić Živadinov, Director of the Kvarner Tourist Board, who warmly welcomed and thanked all attendees. Special acknowledgments were extended to Alessandra Ban, Head of the Department for Tourism, Entrepreneurship, and Rural Development, on behalf of the President of Primorsko-Goranska County, Ivica Lukanović. Gratitude was also expressed to the primary regional stakeholders, such as the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, represented by Dr. Dora Smolčić Jurdana, and the Kvarner Wines Association represented by Director Žarko Stilin and President Egle Katunar. The event also welcomed representatives from Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, distinguished Ambassadors of the Kvarner European Region of Gastonomy 2026 project and brand, partners from the leading gastronomy guide Gault&Millau Croatia, as well as directors of local tourist boards across the Kvarner region. In the presence of international guests and local stakeholders attending IGCAT's 31st World Regions of Gastronomy Platform Meeting (16–20 March), the official Award Ceremony unveiled the top 10 websites selected from global submissions, presenting an enticing and diverse list. Platform members from awarded and candidate regions worldwide joined the gala, enriching the event with their expertise and shared passion for gastronomy. The winning websites are: Foodies on Menorca from Menorca, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022; Taste Saimaa from Saimaa, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2024; Discover Aseer from Aseer, World Region of Gastronomy awarded 2024; NJOY Catalonia from Catalonia, World Region of Gastronomy awarded 2025; Cretan Gea from Crete, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2026; Visit Manabí from Manabí, World Region of Gastronomy awarded 2026; Magenta7.Travel from Harghita, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2027; Visit Lofoten from Nordland, European Region of Gastronomy 2028 Sawa Taste of Tunisia from Cap Bon, candidate World Region of Gastronomy 2028. La Route des Gourmets from France. The winning websites were congratulated, given official certificates by jury representatives, Dr. Adriana Zerga (Peru/ UK); Oscar Ekponimo (Nigeria); and a symbolic gift by Kvarner Region Tourist Board Director, Dr.sc. Irena Peršić Živadinov. IGCAT’s international jury and criteria The websites submitted to the 5th edition of the Top Foodie Websites competition, were evaluated by an international jury of experts from IGCAT who assessed them according to a series of criteria such as usability, sustainability and creativity of the experiences offered, as well as their connection with the regions they promote. The jury included: Dr. Edith M. Szivas (Spain), Vice-President of IGCAT and expert in sustainable tourism; Nadeem Mansour (Jordan), Governance and resilience leader, and author of the six-time Gourmand Award-winning cookbook Thuraya; Dr. Adriana Zerga (Peru/ UK), Specialist in cultural rights and food heritage; Pepe Fassos (Australia), qualified Chef, certified organic farmer, owner of Five Sixty Farms, and founder of Fusion Agrifood; Sunanthee Kanchanawat (Hong Kong/ Thailand), Integrated Gastronomy Design Advisor at the Thailand Gastronomy Network and Instructor in the Food and Beverage Department at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; and Oscar Ekponimo (Nigeria), Founder and CEO of Chowberry Inc. A Gala night to crown the winning websites! In a grand celebration held at the Amadria Park Hotel Milenij in Opatija, the Top Foodie Websites 2026 Award Ceremony took centre stage, bringing together international guests, local stakeholders, and tourism experts. Organized by IGCAT and the Kvarner Region Tourist Board, the gala was hosted as part of Kvarner's Platform Meeting programme, which gathered members from awarded and candidate gastronomic regions worldwide for a week of immersive experiences and knowledge exchange. The evening featured beautiful performances by Klapa Volosko, a traditional Croatian coastal singing style recognized by UNESCO, and David Danijel, a talented singer and musician from Opatija. Throughout the week (16–20 March), Platform Members explored the diverse Kvarner region, including Rijeka, the islands of Krk, Cres, Lošinj, the Riviera of Crikvenica-Novi Vinodolski, Gorski Kotar, and Opatija. Highlights included guided tours of UNESCO-listed intangible heritage sites, refined Kvarner cuisine, tastings of local cheeses and olive oils, thematic lunches and dinners featuring regional wines, and engaging conversations on heritage, sustainability, and community well-being. This rich programme underscored the importance of food-related visitor experiences in promoting local culture, supporting producers, and fostering sustainable tourism, values perfectly reflected in the awarded Top Foodie Websites of 2026. About IGCAT’s Top Foodie Websites By publishing an annual list of Top Foodie Websites, IGCAT aims to: increase international visitors access to quality food and cultural experiences; give international visibility to niche food and culture experiences; and reward portals and apps that support micro-businesses and contribute to sustainable territorial development In doing so, IGCAT hopes to encourage the development of new and unique food experiences initiatives or start-ups, and provide inspiration to build innovative, creative and positive food experiences. The Top 10 Foodie Websites 2026 will be given international visibility and will be permanently promoted on its official website and IGCAT's social media channels. About the World/European Regions of Gastronomy World/European Regions of Gastronomy, guided by IGCAT, are working together to strengthen food security through the celebration of distinctive food cultures; create employment by stimulating creativity and gastronomic innovation; nourish children and adults through culinary and cultural education; driving environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors; supporting balance and sustainable tourism practices; highlighting and supporting expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practices; and contributing to community health and well-being. About IGCAT IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance of protecting and promoting distinct regional food, culture, arts and natural assets as part of sustainable and balanced tourism and development strategies. This is essential to safeguarding our planet, health, wellness and local economies. 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 specialized intergovernmental organisations. IGCAT founded the World/European Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the World/European Regions of Gastronomy Platforms. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the World Food Gift Challenge, the Top Foodie Websites and the international Food Film Menu. For more information: www.europeanregionofgastronomy.org www.igcat.org info@igcat.org

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