Kvarner beneficial for the title of European Area of Gastronomy 2026

A world jury comprising of 4 worldwide consultants, accompanied by IGCAT’s President, Diane Dodd PhD thought-about the appliance of Kvarner area for the title European Area of Gastronomy 2026. After reviewing the bid e-book: Range is Lovely submitted on 5 December 2023, the jury visited the area, 13-17 Might 2024. The goal of the go to was to evaluate the area’s appropriateness and readiness to host the title in 2026. The jury will put together a complete report with suggestions to help the area’s journey.

In the course of the go to, the jury met with greater than 72 stakeholders from throughout the mountains, coast and islands corresponding to native authorities, tourism administrators, heritage consultants, lecturers, enterprise representatives, educationalists and native entities involved with the event and safety of Kvarner as a gastronomic area. The jury was happy to get to know so many stakeholders from public, non-public, third sector and tutorial establishments and applauded the efforts of all concerned from many sectors within the methods and plans for the area.

Common feedback

The jury was impressed by how the imaginative and prescient for Kvarner, European Area of Gastronomy 2026 has been impressed and strengthened by the Motion Plan for the Improvement of Gastronomy within the Kvarner area, which locations explicit consideration on hospitality and accountable vacation spot administration. The work of the Kvarner Regional Tourism Authority and School of Tourism and Hospitality Administration has been distinctive on this regard and gives a street map for a way a number of sectors working collectively can make sure the sustainable meals future for Kvarner and contribute to a superb European Area of Gastronomy.

Specifically, the jury recommended the work of the Kvarner Tourism Board in partaking lodging suppliers, meals and wine producers, heritage managers, residents, in addition to educationalist throughout the area. The jury witnessed an rising curiosity to protect the wellness of native residents in addition to their landscapes, meals and tradition and are assured that if all sectors decide to the Motion Plan for the Improvement of GastronomyKvarner will be capable to obtain this. Specifically, the jury recognised the management position of Peršić Živadinov, Director of Kvarner Tourism Board, her staff and all of the tourism managers from throughout the area that they met due to their dedicated to accountable and balanced tourism administration. Notable thanks go to all of the vacationer boards in Kvarner Area, and particularly to Opatija Vacationer Board; Gorski Kotar Vacationer Board; Kastav Vacationer Board; Rab Vacationer Board; Cres Vacationer Board; Lošinj Vacationer Board; Krk Island Vacationer Board; Vrbnik Vacationer Board; Crikvenica Vacationer Board; Vinodol Vacationer Board; Kraljevica Vacationer Board; Rijeka Vacationer Board in addition to Primorje-Gorski Kotar County; Fužine Municipality; and Cres Municipality.

The jury additionally recommended the work of the School of Tourism and Hospitality Administration for educating on all ranges for a higher-quality and accountable tourism. The School’s analysis work on gastronomy and sustainability has ensured that the Motion Plan for the Improvement of Gastronomy within the Kvarner Area and the concrete motion plans contained inside are primarily based on data and proof.

Whereas there may be wealthy and exquisite range to be skilled throughout the area, the jury additionally appreciated an rising frequent theme about well being, well-being, vitality and the significance of native meals, medicinal herbs, honey and pure water. These have been seen all through the go to and in significantly throughout the spectacular guided tour of Opatija’s Park Angiolina – Botanical Backyard; the go to to Assortment Olive Grove on the Path of Centuries Outdated Olive Grows on the island of Cres, the Agricultural Cooperative Cres; the Home of Nature “Kotač” and in Lošinj`s Aromatic Backyard in addition to by the vital actions of the Affiliation of Beekeepers.

The jury have been additionally impressed by the funding, creativity and innovation with regard to heritage interpretation they usually applauded efforts made to attach these to meals experiences in attention-grabbing methods, as witnessed in Apoxyomenos Museum (Lošinj), Nerezinac Lugger Crusing Interpretation Centre, Frankopan Interpretation Centre at Nova Kraljevica Fort (Kraljevica) and the Rijeka Metropolis Museum – Sugar Refinery Palace (Rijeka). On this notice, the jury loved the professionalism and data of all of the official guides that shared their immense data and love for the area.

The jury agreed that one of many strongest property throughout the area is the amount and high quality of indigenous vegetation (grapes, olives and herbs) and, in significantly the unique grape varieties that they have been capable of uncover. The jury have been impressed by the exceptionally high-quality wines and congratulate the wineries for his or her dedication and collaborate by the Affiliation of Wineries and Winemakers and have been impressed by the overall consensus that wineries can help their native communities extra by ensuring their wine is unique for locals and guests.

The jury famous the good position that the hospitality sector is taking part in, and the position that Kvarner High quality Labels will play in serving to guests to determine the place they’ll purchase native. The jury count on many extra eating places, wineries, lodging suppliers and occasions throughout the area shall be acknowledged for his or her high quality and dedication to native meals sooner or later. The jury have been happy to see that Kvarner’s new labels will make sure that good meals, throughout the vary, is obtainable for everybody.

On this notice, the jury want to thank everybody that supplied unimaginable meals, hospitality and generosity all through the go to and particularly: Bitoraj Lodge & Restaurant; Heritage Lodge and Restaurant Kukuriku; Plavi Podrum restaurant; Navis Boutique & Design Lodge; Agricultural Cooperative Cres; EVOO Macmalić; Dairy Farm Loznati and Bukaleta tavern; Moby Dick Gelateria; Ružić Vineyard; Plovanić Vineyard; Wines Komadina; Nada Restaurant and Vineyard; Katunar Property Vineyard; Gospoja; Šipun Vineyard; Agricultural Cooperative Vrbnik; “šurlice” home-made pasta presentation; Eva restaurant; Lošinj Lodges & Villas – Villa Alhambra; Alfred Keller Restaurant; Dida Restaurant; Na Kantunu tavern; Heritage Lodge Imperial, Opatija; Boutique Lodge Esplanade, Crikvenica; and Boutique & Design Lodge Navis, Opatija.

The jury famous the vital position of the ambassadors for his or her dedication to defending and selling the regional meals, in addition to their efforts to lift the visibility of the candidacy.

Suggestion

The jury appreciated that the bid:

• integrates the six completely different focus areas of IGCAT;
• has had a real growth with a number of stakeholders collaborating;
• contains plans for Kvarner’s participation in IGCAT joint initiatives that present a dedication to the European dimension;
• presents a long-term lasting legacy for the area;
• exhibits a robust dedication from the regional companions to sustainability and high quality meals merchandise.

The jury agreed that the distinctive meals and hospitality present in Kvarner, the tradition and certainly concord of tradition, heritage and well-being makes Kvarner’s software extraordinarily robust. Due to this fact, primarily based on the written software and go to to the area, the jury determined that Kvarner area must be beneficial for the title European Area of Gastronomy 2026.

The jury will submit within the coming weeks their suggestions to the area and IGCAT will approve this suggestion on the subsequent IGCAT Advisory Discussion board scheduled for 26 June 2024. The jury very a lot hope to see preparations unfold for the area’s Award Ceremony this 12 months, which shall be a chance to share Kvarner’s meals treasures with the world.

Jury composition

Dr. Diane Dodd, IGCAT President accompanied the impartial jury to make sure that all monetary, governance and authorized elements will guarantee a long-term legacy for the area. The impartial jury members have been:

• Barbara Zmrzlikar, from Slovenia European Area of Gastronomy 2021 and IGCAT knowledgeable on tourism focussed her consideration on innovation, creativity, tourism and job alternatives;
• Jaume Gomila, from Menorca, European Area of Gastronomy 2022 and IGCAT Professional on Tradition and Training who focussed his consideration on tradition, citizen engagement, empowerment and academic initiatives;
• Jens Storli, from Trondheim-Trøndelag, European Area of gastronomy 2022 and IGCAT knowledgeable on Native Technique Improvement and Communication, focussed his consideration on visibility, communication, advertising and marketing, legacy and analysis
• Sari Kaasinen, Government Supervisor Saimaa, European Area of Gastronomy 2024 focussed her consideration on setting and sustainability.