During the Gala Dinner of the inaugural Food Capitals Summit in Castelldefels, Spain, The Food Capitals officially launched its new Ambassador Program, a strategic initiative designed to recognise individuals who have made significant and tangible contributions to the growth, visibility, and international outreach of the network.
Approved by the Network's Executive Committee, the Ambassador Program formalises the role of trusted individuals who actively help strengthen connections between cities, facilitate dialogue with prospective members, support candidacy processes, and champion the mission of The Food Capitals around the world.
While The Food Capitals is first and foremost a network of cities, its growth has also been made possible by a community of dedicated individuals who help create opportunities, build bridges between cultures, and connect local initiatives to an international platform. The Ambassador Program recognises these contributions and provides a framework for strengthening this important network of supporters.
Food Capitals Ambassadors support the network on a voluntary basis by promoting its mission and values, facilitating introductions, strengthening engagement between current members, and helping identify new opportunities for collaboration.
The first cohort of Ambassadors, officially recognised during the 2026 Summit Gala, reflects the growing international reach of the network and the many ways in which individuals can contribute to its development.
A long-time supporter of The Food Capitals, Jordi Tresserras is an internationally recognised expert in gastronomy, cultural heritage, and sustainable tourism and Director of LABPATC (the Laboratory of Cultural Heritage, Creativity and Cultural Tourism). Jordi also serves as a UNESCO consultant and co-founded the UNESCO Chair Food, Culture & Development UOC, fostering interdisciplinary approaches to sustainable cultural development worldwide.
Jordi has played an instrumental role in connecting the network with cities, institutions, and international organisations across Europe and Latin America. Through his extensive professional network and advocacy for gastronomy, culture, and sustainable tourism, he has helped introduce new opportunities for collaboration and strengthen the visibility of the network internationally.
Strategic Advisor in Gastronomy and founder of The Kitchen Project, Sırma has been involved in The Food Capitals network for over 10 years and remains a trusted liaison with our Turkish city members. Sirma continues to facilitate introductions to prospective cities and partners, and contributes valuable expertise to the development of international culinary collaborations, including the Chefs Beyond Borders program. Through her platform, The Kitchen Project, she has developed gastronomy initiatives that encourage cultural exchange, creative production, and international cooperation.
A Korea–Europe business and cultural connector based between Paris and Barcelona, Melissa Kyoungmin boasts more than a decade of experience in global brand marketing, communications, strategic partnerships, and international market development across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. As a Food Capitals Ambassador, Melissa Kyoungmin is recognised for helping strengthen relationships between existing Food Capitals members while opening new avenues of dialogue with prospective cities throughout Asia. Her efforts have included facilitating exchanges between member cities, supporting participation in the Food Capitals Summit, and helping introduce the network to potential future members across the region.
Fabián Bedón is a cultural heritage specialist, researcher, and consultant currently pursuing a PhD in Tourism at the Complutense University of Madrid. His expertise spans safeguarding plans, community-based inventories, cultural policy, resilience, and intellectual property related to traditional craftsmanship and gastronomy, foodways and foodscapes. He has collaborated with UNESCO, governmental institutions, municipalities, and international cooperation agencies, while also supporting UNESCO Creative Cities processes in Quito, Portoviejo, and Montecristi. Fabián played an important role in supporting Portoviejo's successful membership application, strengthening relationships with the Region of Manabí, advancing discussions with Guayaquil, and introducing The Food Capitals to other cities interested in joining the network. His work has helped significantly expand the network's visibility and engagement in the region.
Sergio Salas is Director of the Institute for Research and Innovation in Creative Economy, Kreapolys, and collaborated with Arequipa (Peru) within UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network for Gastronomy. Sergio has actively supported the development of The Food Capitals throughout Latin America by facilitating connections, supporting city candidacies, and promoting the network among regional stakeholders. His contributions have included helping guide the successful membership process of Trinidad (Bolivia), strengthening connections in Peru, and opening dialogue with other gastronomy cities in Latin America.
The launch of the Ambassador Program marks an important milestone in the continued development of The Food Capitals Network. Ambassadors serve as trusted connectors who help cities discover opportunities for international cooperation, exchange experiences, and become part of a growing global community united by food and gastronomy.
Ambassador status is awarded on a merit basis and approved by the Executive Committee. It recognises demonstrated contributions to the development of the network and reflects The Food Capitals' belief that meaningful international collaboration is built not only by institutions, but also by individuals who are willing to share their time, expertise, and networks in support of a common mission.
