President and co-founder of IGCAT, Diane Dodd, PhD is the Executive Director and inspiration behind the World and European Region of Gastronomy Awards. Together with IGCAT experts, she has pioneered the European Young Chef Award, the International Food Film Menu, the World Food Gift Challenge and the Top Websites for Foodie Travelers.
On 10-13 November 2022, she will form part of the jury for the 6th European Young Chef Award, to be held in Trondheim (Norway).
A long-term advocate for the protection and promotion of local foods and cultures, Diane encourages creativity and sustainability solutions throughout the competition.
Diane has worked in the cultural policy and management field for over 30 years and maintains relations with a number of important Global and European Institutions including UNWTO, UNESCO, IFACCA, European Commission, The Council of Europe, OEI, Commonwealth, Asia-Europe Foundation and many others.
In support of the European Young Chef Award 2022, Diane affirmed that “every year the competition highlights the vital role that young chefs can play in keeping food traditions alive by means of innovation and creativity.”
About IGCAT’s European Young Chef Award
The European Young Chef Award is an annual competition organised by IGCAT that gathers young culinary talents from the awarded and candidate European Regions of Gastronomy. Selected each year through local contests, finalists to the European Young Chef Award compete by innovating traditional recipes from their regions using local ingredients.
The 6th edition of the European Young Chef Award is organised and promoted by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Art and Tourism (IGCAT) and hosted by the Trondheim-Trøndelag, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022. The competition will be held at Strinda High School in Trondheim on 11-12 November 2022, with the support of Trondheim Municipality, Trøndelag County Authority, and Innovation Norway.
About the World Regions of Gastronomy
Candidate and awarded World/European Regions of Gastronomy, guided by IGCAT, are working together to strengthen food security through the celebration of distinctive food cultures; create employment by stimulating creativity and gastronomic innovation; nourish children and adults through culinary and cultural education; driving environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors; supporting balance and sustainable tourism practices; highlighting and supporting expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practices; and contributing to community health and well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance of protecting and promoting distinct regional food, culture, arts and natural assets as part of sustainable and balanced tourism and development strategies. This is essential to safeguarding our planet, health, wellness and local economies.
IGCAT is a non-profit institute established in 2012, working with regional stakeholder consortiums in the fields of gastronomy, culture, arts and tourism. It counts on the expertise of a worldwide network of experts and works in partnership with specialised intergovernmental organisations.
IGCAT founded the World/European Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the World/European Regions of Gastronomy Platforms. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the World Food Gift Challenge, the Top Websites for Foodie Travelers Award and the international Food Film Menu.