“Geopark Cuisine” – New Initiative for Sustainable Development

At the Workshop, delegates were informed about the new initiative of the TC Geopark Network called "Geopark Cuisine", the concept, categories of the initiative and typical examples in implementing the initiative, and the action plan of the specialized group on Geopark Cuisine.

According to the Geopark Cuisine Task Force, “Geopark Cuisine” includes all activities in the Geopark area that provide visitors with experiences related to cuisine and related products and activities. In addition to culinary experiences and traditional, indigenous or innovative agricultural practices, Geopark Cuisine also includes other related activities such as visiting production facilities, participating in food festivals, cooking classes, or learning about local intangible heritages. All of these activities aim to contribute to the sustainable development of the Geopark and local communities. According to the Geopark Cuisine Task Force, “Geopark Cuisine” includes all activities in the Geopark area that provide visitors with experiences related to cuisine and related products and activities. In addition to culinary experiences and traditional, indigenous or innovative agricultural practices, Geopark Cuisine also includes other related activities such as visiting production facilities, participating in food festivals, cooking classes, or learning about local intangible heritages. All of these activities aim to contribute to the sustainable development of the Geopark and local communities.

At the Conference, representatives of some TC Geoparks shared practical activities related to Cuisine in the Geopark region, such as traditional dishes associated with geological heritage at Unzen Geopark, Japan, women's cooperatives processing traditional cuisine at Lesvos Geopark, Greece, Geopark culinary events at M'Goun Geopark, Morocco...

In order to develop a guiding framework for promoting the diverse culinary cultural values ​​of the Geoparks, the Geopark Cuisine Task Force has developed a Geopark Cuisine Action Plan and criteria. The Plan integrates elements of sustainable development, cultural preservation, tourism development, contributing to the socio-economic development and the general environment of the community. The main content of the Plan guides activities on preserving culinary cultural heritage; local food supply and production; culinary education and training, culinary events and festivals; promoting Geopark cuisine.

Mr. Nickolas Zouros, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Global Geopark Network had a speech at the workshop, he highly appreciated the activeness of the specialized group on Geopark Cuisine in implementing the new initiative. He affirmed that Global Geoparks around the world have extremely diverse and rich culinary cultures. The "Geopark Cuisine" initiative not only focuses on cuisine, but also connects with other types of Geopark heritage, associated with activities to preserve and promote traditional cultural values, develop tourism, services... thereby, contributing practically to the implementation of sustainable development goals of Geoparks.