Michelin-starred chef, António Loureiro will chair the jury of the European Young Chef Award 2021, to be held in Braga (Minho, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2016) on 23-24 November.
António Loureiro is chef and owner of restaurant A Cozinha in Guimaraes, which opened its doors in 2016 and has been awarded a Michelin star since 2018. His restaurant offers a unique combination of classic flavours and modern proposals through the creative and innovative reinterpretation of traditional Portuguese cuisine.
Chef Loureiro puts sustainability at the core of his work by using mainly local, seasonal and organic products; adopting a zero-waste policy; and raising awareness about sustainability issues in the kitchen among local communities. Furthermore, he is sponsor of the Eco-Cooks initiative which is part of the Eco-Schools programme in Portugal promoting healthy and sustainable food in schools. Thanks to this approach, since 2018 his restaurant has been receiving the annual Green Key Award.
In 2021, chef Loureiro was recognised by the United Nations among the world’s 50 Best Small Businesses of the Good Food for All competition that rewards SMEs that are contributing to a more Sustainable Food System.
In 2014, he won the 25th edition of the Chef of the Year competition, the largest competition for professional chefs in Portugal.
In support of the European Young Chef Award 2021, he stated that “encouraging young chefs to valorise regional gastronomy and local produce – and giving them visibility for working in this direction – is central to a more sustainable future. Therefore, participating in the European Young Chef Award is already a victory!”
About the European Young Chef Award
The European Young Chef Award is an annual competition organised by 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 5th edition of the European Young Chef Award is organised and promoted by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Art and Tourism (IGCAT) and hosted by the Municipality of Braga (Portugal) in Minho, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2016. The competition will be held in the renovated Municipal Market of Braga on 23-24 November 2021 and will gather finalists from 10 European Regions of Gastronomy.
About the European and World Regions of Gastronomy
Candidate and awarded European and World 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; drive environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors; support balance and sustainable tourism practices; highlight and support expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practises; and contribute to community health and well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance to protect and promote distinct regional food, culture, arts and natural assets as part of sustainable and balanced tourism and development strategies. This is essential to safeguard 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 founded the European and the World Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the European and World Regions of Gastronomy Platform. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the European Food Gift Challenge, the Top Websites for Foodie Travelers and the Food Film Menu.