About Us

Mission & Vision

Learn, Share, Connect

In cities around the world, food is more than sustenance: it's a catalyst for urban transformation. As consumer behaviors evolve, food and gastronomy have become central to city development, citizen well-being, and global competitiveness. Cities now play a pivotal role in cultivating diverse and high-quality food offerings that attract residents and visitors alike.

The Food Capitals by Délice Network is a global alliance of cities committed to harnessing the power of food and gastronomy to drive sustainable urban development, preserve cultural heritage, and enhance the quality of urban life.

Established in 2007 by Lyon, our non-profit organization unites cities that view food as a strategic asset for economic growth, social cohesion, and environmental resilience.

Through collaborative projects, annual gatherings, study tours, and continuous exchanges, our network fosters a dynamic community where cities learn from each other, share best practices, and co-create innovative solutions for the future of food and gastronomy.

Fields of Action

Food and gastronomy are multifaceted areas of urban policy. Each member city brings its unique perspective, enriching our collective knowledge and impact. Our work is organized around four key areas:

Food Culture

Celebrating culinary heritage as a core element of city identity

Food sector

Leveraging gastronomy to stimulate economic development and employment

Food scene

Enhancing global recognition and city attractiveness through unique food offerings

Food policies

Developing inclusive and sustainable food policies to improve urban livability

Governance of the Organisation

The Food Capitals by Délice Network is a French membership-based non-profit organization. (Association Loi 1901)

The Network connects cities from all over the world. Our members are public, private, or public-private organisations representing a local authority.

The Food Capitals General Assembly comprises all the city members and meets at least once a year to review the actions and finances of the organisation. The General Assembly elects the Executive Committee members for a three-year mandate.

The Executive Committee acts as the running body of the organisation. It defines the strategic direction of the Network, controls the activities and results, and keeps the Association's finances under continuous review. Executive Committee members are member city representatives.

The organisation's headquarters are based in the founding city of Lyon. The Food Capitals director works hand in hand with the Executive Committee to ensure the success and development of the Network. The Executive Director handles the organisation's daily management with a Project Developer's support.

The Food Capitals Team

The General Assembly elected the running Executive Committee in June 2025.
Their mandate will go until June 2028.

Jessica férey

Executive Director

Jessica manages the association's daily operations, oversees network stewardship and development, spearheads the network's events, projects, and activities, and facilitates collaborations between member cities and partners. She brings over a decade of experience in international network management, event strategy, and fostering city cooperation.

Felipe garcia

City of Tucson | President

Felipe, the President and CEO of VisitTucson, is a true believer in the power of food to develop a community. As a result, Tucson (Arizona) is evolving to be among the great foodie destinations in the United States, attracting more and more young chefs thanks to its great variety of products and food culture.

Karin tingstedt

City of Malmö | Vice President

Karin is the project manager of the hospitality industry in the City of Malmö. Malmö has been a member of Delice since 2018. Both Karin and the city are strong believers in sustainability and the multicultural food scene, which is very important for Malmö.

Gautier chapuis

City of Lyon | Secretary

The Elected Official of the City of Lyon in charge of Food & Gastronomy, Gautier, is a firm believer in the importance of relocating food systems to improve sustainability and preserve taste & food culture. He is in charge of the school kitchens and various projects related to the gastronomy sector.

Catalina garcia

City of Cali | Treasurer

Catalina is a woman passionate about tourism and gastronomy who currently works as the Executive Director of the Cali Valle Bureau. "Teamwork: ideal formula for positioning" is the motto with which Catalina does not stop making visible the gastronomic and cultural benefits of Cali and Valle del Cauca.

Jakub mazur

City of Wrocław | Board Member

Jakub Mazur serves as Deputy Mayor of Wrocław since 2018, overseeing the city’s strategy, sustainable development, climate adaptation, and economic growth. With over 25 years of experience in business and strategic consulting across sectors like IT, urban planning, energy, and foreign investment, he brings a wealth of expertise to public service.

Anne woie

City of Stavanger | Board Member

As Head of Economic Development and International Affairs for the City of Stavanger, Anne is involved in the different sectors that make Stavanger today. Food & Gastronomy is one of them, and Anne works powerfully with the County and the Region on the recognition of Stavanger as a strong city of Gastronomy worldwide.

Manuela goya

City of Montréal | Treasurer

Vice President of Destination Development, Membership, and Public Affairs at Tourisme Montréal for the past 5 years, Manuela Goya served as the Secretary General of the Montreal Steering Committee. She has also worked as a Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Finance and on issues concerning the Montreal region.