IGCAT has officially announced the European Young Chef Award 2021 that will take place in the renovated Municipal Market of Braga in Minho, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2016, on 23-24 November 2021
Under the theme Innovation on Tradition, the European Young Chef Award will gather finalists of local contests held in the awarded and candidate European Regions of Gastronomy who will compete by innovating traditional recipes from their regions using local ingredients.
The finalists’ creativity, skills, and ability to communicate the story behind their dishes will be evaluated by an international jury comprised of chefs and experts from various fields, including culture, tourism, hospitality, and the creative sectors.
Sustainability will also play a key role in the assessment of the young chefs, who will need to demonstrate their capacity to reduce food waste and single-use plastics in the kitchen, as well as ensure a balanced use of meat/fish ingredients and vegetables in their dishes.
By promoting innovations on traditional cuisine, highlighting sustainable food cultures and supporting local food products, the European Young Chef Award is a powerful tool to raise young chefs’ awareness on the importance of preserving regional food and cultural diversity, as well as local plant and animal varieties throughout their professional career.
While the Covid-19 pandemic prevented the celebration of the competition in 2020, it made clear that, now more than ever, the philosophy and aims of the European Young Chef Award are crucial to support local sustainable food systems and cultures, especially in times of crisis.
The European Young Chef Award counts on the continuous support of its official ambassador, world-renowned chef Joan Roca, who has endorsed the competition’s principles since its first edition in 2016.
→ For more information about the European Young Chef Award 2021, please download the Official Brochure.
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.
