Catalonia will be a world region of Gastronomy in 2025. It is the first territory in Europe to achieve this international distinction that recognizes the gastronomic culture and innovation of a country. A recognition that will project Catalan gastronomy even more and that will have an endowment of 9 million euros from the Generalitat de Catalunya to promote initiatives in this field.
The international jury, made up of experts from different fields such as tourism, culture, hospitality and agriculture, has valued, among other aspects, "the dedication and professionalism of the people related to this field", as well as their desire to constantly progress.
He also considers that "few places can be compared to Catalonia", referring to a "first-class cuisine, in which the fusion of flavors and exceptional raw materials make a unique gastronomic experience possible". Likewise, he highlights that "the landscapes are testimony to the commitments of the Catalan regions with quality, sustainability, tradition and innovation".
Catalonia presented its candidacy last January to achieve this distinction. It was yesterday when the Minister of Business and Work, Roger Torrent, and the Secretary of Food of the Generalitat, Carmel Mòdol, announced the verdict. They did so at a press conference at the Palau Robert attended by some of the best-known chefs in Catalan cuisine.
Represented by Joan Roca, chef of the three-star Celler de Can Roca, Paco Pérez (Miramar y Enoteca), Oriol Castro (Disfrutar), Nandu Jubany (Can Jubany), Fina Puigdevall (Les Cols), Carles Gaig (Gaig Barcelona), Sergio and Javier Torres (Cocina Hermanos Torres), Paolo Casagrande (Lasarte), Ada Parellada (Semproniana), Artur Martínez (Aürt), Toni Romero (Suculent) or the best chocolate maker in the world, Lluc Crusellas, among others.
This is a recognition of world prestige that, in the words of Roca, represents "an opportunity to claim the cuisine we make in Catalonia, with a primary sector committed to excellence and sustainability, and with a kitchen full of talent". This was his consideration, based on "objective data", referring to the stars awarded by the Michelin guide. "In such a small territory there are 41 restaurants with one, 8 with two and 4 with three. You don't know how they envy us in the world," she stressed at yesterday's event.
The chef from Girona also maintained that the fact of becoming a World Region will allow small producers and an industry that works to improve every day and without which the work of chefs "would not be possible" to be visible. Likewise, he stated that it is a way of "valuing traditional cuisine, which has made us grow and which has its own identity."
In his day, El Bulli's mark was so decisive in world cuisine that many chefs from other countries learned from the Spanish technique and stylistics. The gastronomic revolution of haute cuisine —led by some Catalan chefs, like Ferran Adrià, at the helm— went around the globe and turned the country into a place of reference. Now, with this distinction, it is intended to further strengthen the role of Catalonia in the international gastronomic ecosystem.
The World Region of Gastronomy is an initiative promoted by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism, which, through an independent and international jury, highlights a territory for its gastronomic culture, above all adhering to criteria such as sustainability , research and innovation.
The purpose of the title is to highlight and promote those regions that actively contribute to improving the quality of life of citizens, highlighting the different food cultures, education for health and sustainability, and gastronomic innovation.
On the occasion of this recognition, the Generalitat has announced that it will allocate 9 million euros to promote various initiatives with the aim of positioning Catalonia as a great world reference in food and wine. Among some of the planned activities is the celebration of Àpat Catalunya, a massive dinner in an emblematic space in Barcelona in the style of a major festival, with representative recipes of Catalan cuisine.
Along the same lines, the International Week of the World Region of Gastronomy will be promoted, with events in the main cities and countries where there are Government delegations; work will be done so that the World Conference on Wine Tourism of the World Tourism Organization is held in Catalonia; and Som Gastronomia 2025 will be held, a set of presentations with a strong technological and innovation component.
