The 2016 edition of the European Young Chef Award gained extensive media attention across Europe and beyond. The event highlighted how young chefs are leading efforts to protect local food varieties from extinction and to promote sustainable culinary traditions.
Raising Awareness About Food Diversity
During the event, Dr. Diane Dodd, President of IGCAT, underlined the urgent need to safeguard biodiversity.
She explained that “during the last century, 75% of plant genetic diversity has been lost as farmers have shifted to monoculture, high-yield crops.”
This message reinforces one of the core goals of the European Region of Gastronomy Award — to inspire pride in food and cultural diversity through education and citizen awareness.
Media Highlights Across Europe
Coverage of the competition appeared in prominent newspapers and magazines, including Dimokratiki (Rhodes), ERT (Greece), SIRIS (Netherlands), and Omroep Brabant (Netherlands).
In Spain, where this year’s edition was organised, the event drew nationwide attention, featuring in La Vanguardia (print and online), Ideal Úbeda, Mundo Deportivo, and Saber y Sabor, among others.
Many online platforms also reported on the Award, such as LosFoodistas.com, lainformacion.com, elEconomista.es, europapress.es, and Reporte24.net.
Celebrating Local Food and Culinary Heritage
The European Young Chef Award 2016 took place on 14 November 2016 at the Escola Universitària d’Hoteleria i Turisme de Sant Pol de Mar (EUHTStPOL).
Organised by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT), the event coincided with EUHTStPOL’s 50th anniversary and Catalonia’s title as European Region of Gastronomy 2016.
The participation of celebrity chef Joan Roca, who presided over the international jury, was a key factor in attracting wide media attention.
This recognition demonstrates how the young finalists are already becoming regional ambassadors, using their skills and creativity to promote food diversity and sustainability through gastronomy.
Read Full Coverage
→ La Vanguardia
→ Saber y Sabor
→ Dimokratiki
→ Omroep Brabant
…and many more listed on the IGCAT website.
