2 October 2020 – Under the theme A Million Food Stories, Coimbra Region is getting ready to launch their title year as European Region of Gastronomy 2021, awarded by IGCAT.
The result of a close cooperation between founding and partnering entities led by the Intermunicipal Community of Coimbra Region, the region’s programme will officially kick start in January 2021, offering a wide range of events, projects and initiatives that will combine gastronomy, tourism, culture, innovation and economics throughout the year.
Coimbra Region’s programme will focus on four main areas: highlighting local gastronomic heritage; promoting knowledge and innovation; training agents and qualifying the tourist offer; and boosting sustainable development.
Engaging visitor experiences, events showcasing the region’s products, conferences with specialists, innovative projects and contests are only a few examples of the initiatives planned in the framework of Coimbra Region’s title year. All of them and many more will be highlighted on the official website tastecoimbraregion.pt.
Coimbra Region was awarded the European Region of Gastronomy 2021 title for its capacity of engaging a great variety of stakeholders on the territory, together with its strong commitment to increase the relevance of gastronomy to regional development and build strategies to actively involve the education sector.
About the Regions of Gastronomy Platform
Candidate and awarded Regions of Gastronomy, guided by IGCAT, are working together to raise awareness about the importance of their cultural and food uniqueness; stimulate creativity and gastronomic innovation; educate for better nutrition; improve sustainable tourism standards; highlight distinctive food cultures; and strengthen community well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance to safeguard and promote distinct food, culture, arts and sustainable tourism assets. This is essential to balance against globalised food trends that are impacting on our planet, health 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 specialised intergovernmental organisations.
IGCAT provides the Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the Regions of Gastronomy Platform. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the Young Chef Award, the Local Food Gift Challenge, the Top Visitor Experience and the Food Film Menu.