2 October 2020 – Menorca, awarded European Region of Gastronomy 2022 by IGCAT put the spotlight on local food and culture at the successful OFF Festival, organised in the framework of the Menorca International Film Festival (FICME), in September 2020.
Through its CookingFilms series, the OFF Festival offered a programme of events including workshops, conferences and tastings that combined films, culture and local gastronomy, bringing together representatives of the Balearic, national and international cinematographic sector; famous local and national chefs; as well as prominent personalities from the food and film industries.
For example, the Cinema&Cuina sessions (Cinema&Cuisine) gave the audience the opportunity to attend the projection of food films and taste dishes developed in line with the footage proposed at renowned restaurants on the island including: Es Tast de na Sílvia (Ciutadella); Ca Na Marga (Es Mercadal); Hotel Port Mahón (Maó); Hotel Bahía (Ciutadella); Restaurante Rels; and Mon Restaurant.
The OFF Festival complemented the CookingFilms with a free programme of activities featuring chefs, food entities and representatives of Menorca’s agrifood sector, who provided workshops and masterclasses.
Finally, the Professional Meetings event encouraged synergies between local, national and international professionals of the audiovisual sector, as well as favoured knowledge-exchange and the creation of networks among different festivals in the Balearic Islands.
As reported by La Vanguardia, Director of FICME, Inés Garrell commented that “it’s very satisfying to see that, despite the circumstances, all activities have been warmly welcomed by the public, something that shows the interest that an event like this can raise by combining local cuisine and gastronomy with cinema.”
A further step in the strengthening of Menorca as a cultural and gastronomic destination, the OFF Festival counted with the support of the Island Council of Menorca (Consell Insular de Menorca) and the Fundació Foment del Turisme de Menorca (FFTM), two of the founding regional stakeholders of Menorca, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022, and was organised in collaboration with Made in Menorca (the promotional brand of the island’s Department of Economy and Territory) and the Wine International Film Festival (MOST).
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.