Armenia Becomes the First Caucasus Candidate World Region of Gastronomy 2028

Armenia’s growing commitment to placing gastronomy at the heart of cultural preservation, sustainable territorial development, and community-led economic resilience has led to the country officially joining the World Region of Gastronomy Platform as a candidate for the 2028 Award.

Armenia is the first region from the Caucasus to apply for this international recognition, coordinated by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT). By entering the Platform, Armenia joins a global network of regions that recognise food and gastronomy as powerful drivers of identity, social cohesion, education, and responsible tourism. As a candidate World Region of Gastronomy 2028, Armenia is committed to working alongside other Platform regions to promote sustainable food systems, strengthen local value chains, support food education and research, empower youth and creative industries, and position gastronomy as a tool for intercultural dialogue and inclusive development.

The candidature was formally consolidated on 5 December, when the stakeholder committee met to officially sign the Memorandum of Understanding, confirming a shared long-term vision and governance framework for the candidature process. Armenia’s candidacy highlights a culinary heritage shaped by millennia of agricultural knowledge, diverse landscapes, and deeply rooted food traditions. From mountain terroirs and foraged ingredients to bread-making, preservation techniques, hospitality rituals, and festive cuisines, Armenian gastronomy embodies a strong connection between land, culture, and community. These foodways continue to play a vital role in sustaining rural livelihoods, intergenerational knowledge transmission, and local identity.

The candidature is supported by a diverse and collaborative stakeholder network, bringing together expertise from environmental action, local governance, tourism, education, and the hospitality sector. Key partners include фонда Green Rock and Green Rock LLC, advancing sustainability-driven initiatives and territorial development; Dilijan Municipality, supporting local governance and community engagement; Tavush DMO, linking gastronomy with destination management and responsible tourism; the Youth Cooperation Center of Dilijan, fostering youth participation, education, and social innovation; the Association of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers of Armenia, representing the professional food and hospitality sector; and the Russian-Armenian University, contributing academic research, knowledge exchange, and capacity building.

Присоединяясь к платформе World Region of Gastronomy, Армения заявляет о современном подходе, в рамках которого гастрономия рассматривается не только как часть наследия, но и как живая система, способная отвечать на актуальные вызовы в сфере устойчивого развития, образования и территориальной сплочённости. Кандидатура на 2028 год предоставляет Армении международную площадку для представления её богатой гастрономической культуры, творческого потенциала и стремления формировать устойчивые, инклюзивные и ориентированные на будущее продовольственные системы, одновременно укрепляя сотрудничество между государственными и общественными структурами, местными сообществами и гастрономическим сектором.

About the World Region of Gastronomy Award

The International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) is the operative institute that oversees the management and coordination of the World/European Regions of Gastronomy Award. IGCAT believes that cross-sectoral collaboration will help regions find solutions to current day challenges and, thus, the Award is not only given because a region has great gastronomy, but because the whole region is working together to create a more sustainable food future. IGCAT encourages not only hospitality industries to participate but everyone across the whole eco-system including public, private, NGO and academic institutions.