European Young Chef Award 2021 finalists have joined their predecessors and become IGCAT Regional Chef Ambassadors, committing to promoting local food from their regions, highlighting culinary diversity and contributing to saving the planet!
As IGCAT Regional Chef Ambassadors, they commit to being leaders of change for good in their future professional career, proudly and sustainably promoting their regions, heritage and food cultures. The Young Chefs joined the IGCAT Regional Chef Ambassadors network that has gathered European Young Chef Award finalists since its first edition in 2016.
This recognition acknowledges the crucial role that the young chefs can play in the conservation and promotion of quality and diverse local products through innovation and creativity. Together, they commit to the common goal of adopting more environmentally, ethically, socially, culturally and economically sustainable food production and consumption practices.
After signing the agreement, each young chef prepared a traditional recipe from their region as a warm-up for the European Young Chef Award 2021 competition, to be held on 24 November, when they will present an innovative interpretation of these dishes to an international jury chaired by Michelin-starred chef António Loureiro.
About IGCAT’s European Young Chef Award
The European Young Chef Award is an annual competition organised by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Art and Tourism (IGCAT) that gathers young culinary talents from the awarded and candidate European Regions of Gastronomy. Selected each year through local contests, finalists to the European Young Chef Award compete by innovating traditional recipes from their regions using local ingredients.
The 8th edition of the European Young Chef Award is organised and promoted by IGCAT and hosted by Sicily, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2025. The competition will be held at the IPSSEOA “Giovanni Falcone”, Giarre Hospitality School on 27-30 November 2024.
About the World & European Regions of Gastronomy
The World Regions of Gastronomy and the European 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; driving environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors; supporting balance and sustainable tourism practices; highlighting and supporting expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practices; and contributing to community health and well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance of protecting and promoting distinct regional food, culture, arts and natural assets as part of sustainable and balanced tourism and development strategies. This is essential to safeguarding our planet, health, wellness 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 is the official secretariat for the World Region of Gastronomy and the European Regions of Gastronomy Platforms. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the World Food Gift Challenge, the Top Foodie Websites Award and the international Food Film Menu.
