Through inspiring and interactive pitches and presentations, cities will share and exchange not only about best practices of innovative projects and initiatives, but also about “flops” and lessons learnt!
Presentations will be followed by themed tabletop discussions in a “World Café” format, where participants have a chance to move from table to table for deeper discussions and exchanges with presenters.
Check back often for program updates!
By Arisa Larios, Program Manager: City of Gastronomy, San Antonio
Since 2021, San Antonio has been selecting six chefs to represent its gastronomy program through a dedicated application process. Now in its third cohort, the program continues to evolve. This presentation will dive into both its successes and its challenges, with insights on how to make it even stronger.
As you may have noticed, one of San Antonio’s Chef Ambassadors, Sofia Sada, will also be taking part in our Chefs Beyond Borders initiative!
By Kjell G. Pettersen, Advisor at the Department of Economic Development and International Affairs, City of Stavanger
Oppdag Øyriket is a place‑based initiative from Stavanger, Norway, exploring how food, culture, and landscape can be reconnected through existing local resources. The presentation tells the story of an inhabited archipelago where food production, everyday life and visitor experiences had become fragmented and how simple connections, co‑creation, and low‑impact interventions helped rebuild coherence, local value, and pride. Rather than creating new attractions, the project focuses on connecting what already exists, offering insights relevant to food policy, territorial development, and sustainable food systems.
By Cristina Paolasso, Food & Wine Tourism Development at Turismo Torino e Provincia
When global audiences gather for major non-food events, they come for the spectacle, but they remember the experience. One of the most powerful ways to enrich that experience is through local cuisine. Food is not just nourishment; it’s culture, identity, and storytelling. This is where initiatives like Casa Gusto step in.
Photo Credits: © City of San Antonio, © Harald M. Valderhaug
