The Region of South Aegean enters in the final straight to win the title of European Region of Gastronomy 2019 with the submission of its bid book to IGCAT on July 31, 2016, deadline for bidding.<\/p>\n
For the preparation of the bid book, which includes the entire web of actions and events through which the Region of South Aegean claims the title of European Region of Gastronomy, a wide consultation took place between the Executive Bid Committee and the insular societies. Within less than 40 days, more than 107 social stakeholders were brought together for the great goal and submitted ideas and suggestions during meetings that were organized on the islands of Rhodes, Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos, Syros, Naxos, Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Tinos, Milos <\/strong>and Andros<\/strong>, where stakeholders representing all the South Aegean islands had the opportunity to participate.<\/p>\n The proposals included in the bid book focus in six areas-fields of action adopted by the Region and are directly or indirectly related to nutrition and gastronomy of the South Aegean islands: Culture and Food Diversity, Education, Supporting SMEs, Health, Sustainability, Technology<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The objectives<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n The claim of the European Region of Gastronomy award aims to make the gastronomy of the South Aegean islands a benchmark in the European gastronomic culture, serving at the same time the main strategic objectives set by the Regional authority: openness, interconnection of gastronomy with tourism and culture, promotion and distribution of the excellent quality local products of South Aegean in foreign markets, by investing primarily in promoting the Aegean Cuisine, which is a strong base and comparative advantage of the South Aegean Region in the competition for the title along fellow candidate Regions.<\/p>\n The Aegean Cuisine<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n It is worth mentioning that the South Aegean Region\u2019s candidacy is the culmination of the great effort that the Governor of South Aegean Region, Mr. Giorgos Hatzimarkos, began years ago, with his capacity as President of the Dodecanese Chamber of Commerce and with the cooperation of local stakeholders. Recognizing the catalytic role that gastronomy can play in the enrichment of the tourist product and the benefits that can accrue to the local economy, he worked methodically on the strategic objective of promoting the islands\u2019 gastronomic wealth -an integral part of the South Aegean culture and identity- and establishing the Aegean Cuisine, which until now has steered an excellent course in exhibitions and gastronomy events, both in Greece as -especially- abroad, highlighting the unique gastronomic wealth of the islands, along with the introduction of the distinctive label, which has since accompanied the authenticity and quality of Aegean gastronomy.<\/p>\n Supporters<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Strategic partners of the South Aegean Region in its claim of the title are the Harokopeio University and the Rutgers University in the USA, that cooperate with the aim of highlighting the Aegean diet, and the University of Bergamo in Italy, in the framework of a survey conducted for food tourism.<\/p>\n Ambassador of the candidacy \u2013 Mrs. Arghiro Barbarigou<\/strong><\/p>\n Official and exclusive airline: Aegean Airlines<\/strong><\/p>\n