IGCAT INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GASTRONOMY CULTURE ARTS AND TOURISM,update

PRESS RELEASE

IGCAT’s 33rd World Regions of Gastronomy
Platform Meeting successfully hosted in Manabí

15 October 2026

Empowering youth as guardians of living heritage, leveraging natural heritage for sustainable economic development, and strengthening global networks through fair trade and knowledge exchange were the subjects of the 33rd World Regions of Gastronomy Platform Meeting, held on 14 October 2026. The meeting was organised by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) together with the Prefectura of Manabí, delivering a spectacular Platform meeting on behalf of stakeholders from Manabí, World Region of Gastronomy 2026.

The event brought together regional representatives, IGCAT Ambassadors and international Experts, and stakeholders from over 30 countries committed to advancing sustainable food systems, cultural heritage and community well-being through gastronomy. By integrating site visits to ancestral archaeological sites and sustainable agricultural estates with high-level policy conversations, the Platform Meeting demonstrated how gastronomy can serve as a powerful tool for community resilience, cultural preservation, and intergenerational dialogue.

The meeting welcomed delegates from across the World Regions of Gastronomy Platform, including awarded and candidate European regions such as Aarhus-Central Denmark (2017), Galway-West of Ireland (2018), Menorca (2022), Trondheim-Trøndelag (2022), Gozo (2026), Crete (2026), Harghita (2027), Banat (2028) and Nordland (2028). As well as awarded and candidate World regions such as Catalonia (2025), Vanuatu (2027), Cap Bon (2028), South Aegean (2028), Şanliurfa (2029), Martinique (2030) and Armenia (2031) joined the exchange.

Hacienda La Prosperina: Sustainable Agriculture and Fair Trade

The Platform Meeting opened with an immersive journey into Manabí’s rural and ancestral landscapes, designed to highlight the region’s commitment to sustainability and heritage preservation.

The meeting began with a transfer to Hacienda La Prosperina in Jipijapa, a 100-hectare estate nestled within native forest. This venue offered delegates an immersive journey into specialty coffee production and sustainable agriculture. Visitors explored every stage of the coffee process, from hand harvesting and controlled fermentation to artisanal roasting, while discovering the region’s remarkable biodiversity through birdwatching and nature trails.

Led by local women producers, the experience highlighted the social, environmental, and cultural values that shape Manabí’s rural identity. This setting provided the backdrop for Platform Conversation 1: Natural Heritage, Fair Trade, and Food Production:

Exploring how regions can leverage their biodiversity to drive sustainable development through premium, eco-conscious food products;
Examining innovative approaches to ensure fair compensation for producers, with a focus on empowering women and indigenous communities;
Discussing strategies to preserve ecosystems while creating value-added products that align with global fair trade principles.

Following the conversation, delegates participated in a Jipijapa Ceviche Showcooking and enjoyed a light lunch, showcasing the region’s fresh, local ingredients.

Cerro Jaboncillo Archaeological Park: Engaging Youth with Living Heritage

In the afternoon, delegates transferred to the Cerro Jaboncillo Archaeological Park in Portoviejo. Overlooking the valleys of central Manabí, this site is one of Ecuador’s most significant archaeological locations and the ancestral heartland of the Manteño civilization. Walking among ancient ceremonial platforms and sacred landscapes, participants reflected on the deep connection between heritage, territory, and food traditions.

This historical setting framed Platform Conversation 2: How to Incentivise Youth to See Living Heritage as an Asset. The interactive discussion focused on practical strategies to inspire young people to embrace their cultural and natural legacy:

Digital Storytelling: Using technology to document and share oral histories and traditional recipes, making heritage relevant to digital-native generations.
Participatory Projects: Designing hands-on initiatives that allow youth to take ownership of heritage preservation, from urban gardening to culinary innovation.
Educational Programs: Building bridges between schools, universities, and local producers to integrate gastronomy and cultural heritage into formal education.

Networking and Culinary Exchange

The day concluded with a transfer to Manta and an informal dinner at Casa Rosada. This gathering provided a relaxed environment for speakers and international guests to deepen connections and share insights ahead of the 2nd World Gastronomy Summit. The evening underscored the importance of shared meals as a tool for building trust, fostering dialogue, and celebrating the diversity of global food cultures.

The insights and partnerships forged during the 33rd Platform Meeting will directly inform the agenda of the upcoming 2nd World Gastronomy Summit. With a strong focus on youth empowerment, the Summit aims to amplify the voices of young leaders in the global gastronomy community and develop concrete action plans for sustainable food systems.

This Meeting also served as an opportunity for IGCAT to formally thank the key institutional partners whose support was essential in securing and implementing the World Region of Gastronomy 2026 title for Manabí: Prefectura of Manabí, Eloy Alfaro University of Manabí (ULEAM), Chamber of Industry and Production of Manabí, and FUEGOS Foundation. Their leadership and commitment were publicly acknowledged as vital to the success of the project.

About the World Region of Gastronomy Award

The International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) is the operative institute that oversees the management and coordination of the World Region of Gastronomy Award. IGCAT believes that cross-sectoral collaboration will help regions find solutions to current day challenges and thus, the Award is not only given because a region has great gastronomy but because the whole region is working together to create a more sustainable food future. IGCAT encourages not only hospitality industries to participate but everyone across the whole eco-system including public, private, NGO and academic institutions.

The first step in applying for the Award is to bring these different entities together. The next stage is to create a bid book that pulls together as many great initiatives as possible so that people within the region themselves can begin to appreciate how rich their resources are. The third stage is a jury visit that concludes with a recommendation for IGCAT Board and a report to help the region in preparing a successful journey.

Candidate and awarded 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; drive environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors; support balance and sustainable tourism practices; highlight and support expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practises; and ultimately they contribute to community health and well-being.

www.igcat.org

www.worldregionofgastronomy.org

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