Crete officially awarded European Region of Gastronomy 2026

Crete was officially awarded the title of European Region of Gastronomy 2026 by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) recognizing Crete’s unique culinary identity, dedication to sustainable practices, and commitment to promoting the richness of its traditional food culture.

On October 9 2024, Crete was officially awarded the prestigious title of European Region of Gastronomy 2026 by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT). Upon receiving the Award from IGCAT Expert and Chair of the Jury delegation, Davinia Galea, the Regional Governor of Crete, Stavros Arnaoutakis, thanked the numerous stakeholders who contributed to the initiative, acknowledging the collaborative effort involved.

“This award belongs to all the stakeholders who participated in this effort. We continue forward together, and as the Region of Crete, we extend our heartfelt thanks to them, as well as to Ploigos, which took on the responsibility of submitting the nomination, and to all our partners who contributed to this important distinction”, he emphasized.