IGCAT Newsletter Second Quarter 2026

 

IGCAT Newsletter Second Quarter 2026 IGCAT VOICE

For Ploigos, participation in IGCAT and in the various events and competitions it organises, is much more than simply meeting other regions from Europe and around the world. We see our participation in IGCAT as a compass pointing us in the right direction, as a beacon that guides us towards the destination we aspire to reach. At the same time, it gives us the opportunity to act as one large family, while encouraging us to adopt strategic planning, structured programmes and timelines, to build partnerships and collaborative initiatives, and to connect and integrate what were previously fragmented efforts.

It has also provided us with the opportunity to engage in a meaningful dialogue about our food heritage with a broad range of organisations across Crete, representing diverse fields—from cutting-edge research institutions to monastic communities. This dialogue led to the creation of the Regional Stakeholder Group of Crete, comprising around 50 organisations coordinated by Ploigos, working together to build Crete's food system from the ground up, with a clear focus on the challenges of the future. Within this framework, and as the holder of the title "Crete – European Region of Gastronomy 2026", we co-organised, together with IGCAT, the 32nd World Regions of Gastronomy Platform Meeting and the World Food Gift Challenge in May, welcoming participating regions from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. The World Food Gift Challenge proved to be an invaluable platform for Crete, enhancing its international visibility, fostering regional pride, and recognising the dedication and quality of local producers and their products. It was a valuable opportunity to share this vision and our work with the organisations and communities of our island. It was also an opportunity for our guests from around the world to experience authentic connections with our place and our people. Such experiences are not created through automatic processes; they are the result of thoughtful planning and the dedication of people who believe deeply in what they do. Haris Roditakis President of PLOIGOS Educational – Development Company Crete, European Region of Gastronomy 2026

News from IGCAT and the World Regions of Gastronomy

From Utopia to Action: IGCAT Sparks Conversations at Gastrodiplomacy Bootcamp 29 June 2026 - Held from June 25–28, 2026, at the Paideia Campus in Pollica, Italy, IGCAT is proud to announce its participation in the Future Food Institute's Gastrodiplomacy Bootcamp. This immersive four-day event broug... Read more

Food Is Culture, Heritage And Identity: 1st World Gastronomy Summit Report Published 15 June 2026 – The International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism is pleased to announce the publication of the official report from the 1st World Gastronomy Summit, held on 27 September 202... Read more

Vanuatu Recommended for the Title of World Region of Gastronomy 2027 10 June 2026 - An international jury composed of four Experts accompanied by IGCAT’s President, Diane Dodd PhD, considered the application of Vanuatu region for the title World Region of Gastronomy 2027. After reviewing... Read more

IGCAT’s 32nd World Regions of Gastronomy Platform Meeting successfully hosted in Crete 23 May 2026 - Strategic policy and programmes to develop a region’s culinary identity and strengthen collaboration between tourism, agriculture and education was the subject of the 32nd World Regions of Gastronomy Platform Meeting, held from 18... Read more

IGCAT’s 2026 World Food Gift Challenge Awards Revealed 15 Outstanding Products in Crete 22 May 2026 – Honouring the rich tapestry of food heritage and cultural identity, IGCAT’s 7th World Food Gift Challenge recognised 15 exceptional food and food-related craft products, selected by an international jury of E... Read more

ALECSO & IGCAT Strengthen Partnership to Promote Gastronomy, Culture & Innovation 12 May 2026 - Food, culture, and education have the power to transform communities – and on 12 May 2026, ALECSO Director-General Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar met with IGCAT President Dr. Diane Dodd and La… Read more

Cap Bon recommended for the title of World Region of Gastronomy 2028 8 May 2026 - An international jury composed of four international experts accompanied by IGCAT’s President, Diane Dodd PhD, considered the application of Cap Bon region for the title World Region of Gastronomy 2028. After reviewing the bid book: A Shakshouka of Flavo… Read more

Şanlıurfa Becomes the First Asian Candidate for World Region of Gastronomy 2029 28 April 2026 - Şanlıurfa’s deep commitment to placing gastronomy at the heart of cultural preservation, sustainable development, and community-led growth has led to the region officially joining the World Region of Gastronomy Platform as a candi… Read more

Nordland Officially Awarded European Region of Gastronomy 2028 28 April 2026 - In recognition of its outstanding commitment to local gastronomy, cultural heritage, and sustainable, community-driven tourism, Nordland was awarded the prestigious title of European Region of Gastronomy 2028, by the International Institute… Read more

Banat recommended for the title of European Region of Gastronomy 2028 17 April 2026 - An international jury comprising of four international experts, accompanied by IGCAT’s President, Dr. Diane Dodd considered the application of Banat region for the title European Region of Gastronomy 2028. After reviewing the bid book: Banat – Fusi… Read more

Open Call for World and European Regions of Gastronomy 2030 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. 2027 Deadline for applications: 31 May 2027 For more information: Open Call for World Regions of Gastronomy 2030

Current news from around the globe

Good practices in the development of gastronomy tourism By UN Tourism 7 June 2026 - UN Tourism and the Basque Culinary Center (BCC) have released Good Practices in the Development of Gastronomy Tourism, a publication highlighting how eight global destinations, including Brazil, Canada, Chile, Slovenia, Spain, and Mexico… Read more

Availability, accessibility and affordability of quality food are vital for food security, says FAO By FAO 28 May 2026 - On World Nutrition Day 2026, QU Dongyu, Director-General of the FAO, highlighted that food security depends not just on production but on availability, accessibility, affordability, and quality of nutritious food. Speaking… Read more

Water and youth take centre stage at Africa Week 2026 By UNESCO 11 May 2026 - From 19–22 May 2026, UNESCO’s Africa Week will shine a spotlight on water, youth, culture, and sustainable development across the continent. This dynamic event, hosted at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, featured conf… Read more

European tourism shows resilience in early 2026, as regional demand stays strong amid global uncertainty By European Travel Commission 7 May 2026 - Despite geopolitical challenges, Europe’s tourism sector showed remarkable resilience in early 2026, with international tourist arrivals rising by 5.6% and overnight stays up by 5.5% compared to 2025. This grow… 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

© 2026 IGCAT, All rights reserved