The Food Capitals Summit 2026 program in Castelldefels promises a week full of inspiration — and a few surprises along the way. At the heart of it are the speakers: leading voices who will take part in presentations and thematic sessions across the event.
Through their insights, we’ll explore how cities shape and communicate their unique “food story,” from gastronomic identity and city branding to tourism and global attractiveness. Expect thought-provoking ideas, fresh perspectives, and conversations that spark real interest and impact.
Check back often for speaker updates!
Stewart Colovin is SVP and Global Brand Strategist at MMGY Global, where he leads transformative work at the intersection of place, identity, and storytelling. Over the course of his career, he has shaped brands for destinations, corporations, restaurants, attractions, and sports franchises around the world.
As a keynote speaker at the Food Capitals Summit 2026 in Castelldefels, Stewart will present “Identity Over Ingredients,” a powerful exploration of how the most compelling place brands are built not just on what they offer, but on a clear and authentic sense of who they are. His session will reframe gastronomy as more than cuisine, as a meaningful narrative that connects people, culture, and place.
Stewart will also lead a hands-on workshop with participating cities, translating keynote insights into practical tools. Together, participants will explore how to express and elevate their unique place identities through gastronomy.
We look forward to welcoming Stewart to the Summit 2026 in Castelldefels.
Arisa Larios is a Program Manager for the City of San Antonio’s World Heritage Office, where she leads local and international initiatives tied to the city’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. In this role, she manages key programs such as the Chef Ambassador Program and plays a central role in planning and coordinating San Antonio’s annual Food Systems Summit.
A registered and licensed dietitian since 2008, Arisa holds a master’s degree in nutrition and brings a diverse clinical background spanning adult and pediatric oncology, endocrinology, and weight management within the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System. She also served as a community nutrition educator with the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, where she focused on empowering residents to connect food, culture, and health.
Arisa is passionate about advancing equitable, culturally rooted food systems that honor tradition while driving innovation. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys trail running, hiking, and spending time outdoors with her three sons.
Arisa will present "San Antonio Chef Ambassadors Program" during The Feast, The Flop, The Fix session
Helena Perxacs Motgé is the manager of the Consortium of the Baix Llobregat Agrarian Park, linked to the Barcelona Provincial Council. Previously, she managed European projects on environmental and sustainability issues at the Barcelona Provincial Council. She holds a PhD in Geography and has also been a professor at the University of Barcelona, focusing on society and environmental issues.
During the Farm to Plate visit, Helena will show us around one of the farms in the Baix Llobregat Park, before members gather for an experience centred on Arroz de Castelldefels.
Jordi Tresserras Juan is an expert in gastronomy and sustainable tourism; Director of LABPATC; consultant at UNESCO; Co-founder of the UNESCO Chair Food, Culture & Development UOC.
As a speaker at the Food Capitals Summit 2026 in Castelldefels, Jordi will present “How to activate local gastronomic history to strengthen local identity and generate opportunities for a food destination: the case of Castelldefels.” During this journey, we will get through the history of Castelldefels’ gastronomy and its impact on the city’s current strategies and projects. From 200 years of historic recipes to strong collaborations between local businesses and the restaurant and hospitality industry, Castelldefels will showcase how the city prioritizes gastronomy as a driver for tourism, promotion of local culinary identity, and international collaborations.
Javier González Abad is the Tourism Councillor at the Baix Llobregat County Council, a member of its Governing Board, and a councillor in Martorell during the 2023-2027 term. In previous terms, he served as an elected representative at Martorell Town Council from 2006 to 2015 and as County Councillor for General Services, Internal Affairs, and Finance from 2011 to 2012.
During the Farm to Plate visit, Javier will bring us his perspective as a politician from Baix Llobregat.
Kjell G. Pettersen is an advisor at the City of Stavanger (Norway), working on place‑based development, food systems, and sustainable tourism, with a strong focus on co‑creation and local value creation.
Kjell will present "Oppdag Øyriket - Discover the Archipelago" during The Feast, The Flop, The Fix session
Carlos Carvalho is the president of the Portuguese Academy of Gastronomy (Lisbon, Portugal) and the Secretary General of ECNG (European Community of New Gastronomy), working on the promotion of Portuguese gastronomy culture and the valorisation of personalities, institutions, and projects that actively contribute to the enrichment and promotion of Portuguese gastronomy.
Carlos will present “Globalisation vs. Culinary traditions” during The Feast, The Flop, The Fix session.
Edyta Pawlaczek is a senior specialist at the Economic Development Office at the Municipality of Wrocław (Poland). She works on projects that support local businesses. She is a graduate of the National School of Public Administration.
Edyta will present "From idea to action: building Wrocław's gastronomic brand" during The Feast, The Flop, The Fix session
Sonja Immonen is a Project Manager of Helsinki City Premises Ltd., responsible for urban space activations, focusing on creating vibrant, event-driven cultural city environments. Her work centers on developing concepts and collaboration that bring people together through temporary uses, food culture, and experiential programming in public spaces.
Petra Majander is the Creative Director of Helsinki City Premises Ltd., leading the vision and creative direction for how cities can evolve through culture, design, and innovative use of space. She works at the intersection of creativity and urban development, shaping meaningful and engaging city experiences.
Sonja and Petra will present “Reimagining Cities Through Radical Creativity and Experimental Food Culture” during The Feast, The Flop, The Fix session.
Cristina Paolasso works at Turismo Torino e Provincia, where she is responsible for projects aimed at developing food and wine tourism in the Metropolitan City of Turin. She is also involved in industrial tourism through a programme of company visits, many of which are in the agri-food sector.
Cristina will present "Showcasing Local Cuisine During Major Non-Food Events Case Study: Casa Gusto at the Nitto ATP Finals, Torino" during The Feast, The Flop, The Fix session
Patrick St-Vincent is General Manager of La Table Ronde, which he co-founded in 2022 with a board of 12 directors. He has worked in the restaurant industry for over 30 years as a restaurateur and sommelier. After three decades in the field, he completed an MBA at HEC Montréal to deepen his management skills. He has been involved in several restaurant projects and helped launch Québec’s first wine bar. At La Table Ronde, alongside projects focused on talent development, business models, local products, and international outreach, he contributed to developing a micro-MBA at HEC Montréal for gastronomic restaurant owners.
Senior Director, Marketing and Finance at La Table Ronde, Anne-Virgine Schmidt is also an entrepreneur, author, and passionate project initiator. She has built her career at the crossroads of gastronomy, nature, and culture. As co-founder of Les Miels d’Anicet, she spent over 25 years developing a pioneering beekeeping enterprise that has become a beloved name in Québec, known for its strong ties to local terroir and artisans. Her approach, rooted in collective intelligence and inspired by the resilience of bees, resonates strongly with initiatives such as Montreal’s vibrant culinary scene, where gastronomy becomes a platform for creativity and connection. Author of three books, she continues to inspire diverse audiences while advocating for the preservation of biodiversity and the cultural value of food.
Patrick and Anne-Virgine will present “Women’s Leadership in Gastronomy: Montreal’s La Table Ronde Accelerator Program” during The Feast, The Flop, The Fix session.
