Galway Named 2018 European Region of Gastronomy

Galway has been designated as the European Region of Gastronomy for 2018, at an event held in North Brabant, The Netherlands.

The bid team representing the region presented to an international jury of experts in the Province House of Den Bosch, North Brabant on St. Patrick's Day, which was followed by a tasting lunch featuring a range of local foods and produce from Made in Galway.

The Galway bid, entitled From the Ground Up – Feeding our Future, focused on five key areas following a stakeholder engagement workshop in September in Galway. Education and health were seen as critical components of any future projects and the bid team used this feedback to guide the bid book development.

The process to seek this designation began summer 2015 following engagement with the European Capital of Culture team and food was identified as a strong theme. Last September Galway County Council, Galway City Council and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology signed the cooperation agreement allowing Galway to become a member of the European Region of Gastronomy Platform. Teagasc has also joined the platform.

Cathaoirleach of County Galway, Cllr. Peter Roche, warmly congratulated all involved: "The joint efforts of all involved in the bid have been justly recognised in securing this prestigious title for our region. It will provide a platform for the continued growth of Galway as a destination known for the quality of its food sector and the strength of the connection between its people, the land and our gastronomic traditions. The Local Authority's support of the food sector as a key area for local economic development will also be enhanced by this designation."

Source: Galway Named 2018 European Region of Gastronomy