Minho is in the running for 2016’s ‘European Gastronomy Region’.
The bid was presented on February 12 in Ponte de Lima, with the support of regional consortium Minho IN and the Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo.
Although competition is described as “fierce”, the executive coordinator of Minho IN Francisco Calheiros has “high expectations”.
“We are the most important region of the country in terms of gastronomy,” he declared.
“There is a huge diversity and we have an enviable heritage represented by the three cities of Viana do Castelo, Guimarães and Braga,” Calheiros added.
Marseille (France), Agrifood Capital North East Brabant (the Netherlands), Aarhus/Central Denmark (Denmark), Gauja (Latvia), Lombardy (Italy), Catalonia (Spain), Malta and Sibiu, Transylvania (Romania) are others bidding for the award, organised by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT).
Unlike most titles, ‘European Gastronomy Region’ is awarded to two regions every year.
