The year 2026 marks a decisive stage for the candidacy “Banat – European Region of Gastronomy 2028.” The visit of the international jury to Timiș and Caraș-Severin counties represents the final step before the announcement of the final result. The submitted application has already been described as “well structured and coherent.”
The title “Banat – European Region of Gastronomy 2028” is a strategic project of the Timiș County Council. So far, all the steps required by the Advisory Forum of the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) in Barcelona—the body that designates the winning regions—have been completed.
In December, the application passed the first evaluation stage, and the next phase will be the jury’s visit, scheduled for April 13–17.
After this assessment, IGCAT will announce the final selection result.
“We are preparing to become a European Region of Gastronomy, a very ambitious project. We submitted the candidacy file at the beginning of November, and in December it was evaluated and appreciated as well structured and coherent. In April, the jury’s visit to Banat will take place. Emotions are natural. The organization of this visit, which will last one week, follows clear standards set by the institute in Barcelona. I am confident that, together with our existing partners and those who will join us, we will deliver a successful presentation and obtain this title. We will find out the result at the end of April or the beginning of May,” said Simona Neumann, director of Visit Timiș and project coordinator.
Sustainability is Essential
Banat’s candidacy is built around the concept “The Fusion of Borderless Flavours – Bold Tastes. Diverse Origins. A Shared Table,” which reflects the character of a multicultural region where gastronomy becomes a common language. However, the title goes beyond the promotion of traditional recipes.
“European Region of Gastronomy means not only how we highlight local culinary traditions and gastronomic art, but also how these are reinterpreted in an innovative way, adapted to the present and the future. Another important pillar is education and research, where we benefit from essential support from the University of Life Sciences in Timișoara. Sustainability is just as important: reducing food waste, using local and organic products, supporting short supply chains from producer to consumer, limiting the use of plastic, and improving energy efficiency. All of these are essential criteria in this competition,” Simona Neumann added.
Banat Lags Behind in Local Gastronomic Points
The project aims to support local producers and develop gastronomic tourism, but there are still areas that need improvement. When it comes to Local Gastronomic Points, Timiș County is in a weak position.
“At national level, there are over 600 Local Gastronomic Points, of which only 22 are in Banat. Timiș County has only four or five, the rest being in Caraș-Severin, which is doing better from this perspective. Somewhere we need to start stimulating small producers to open such points,” Simona Neumann explained.
The project “Banat 2028 – European Region of Gastronomy” was initiated by the Timiș County Council as project leader, in partnership with the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism. Visit Timiș is the implementing organization, and the consortium includes the HoReTim Association, My Banat Association, Degustăria, Produs în Banat, GAL Colinele Recaș, the University of Life Sciences in Timișoara, as well as other interested partners, such as the CRIES Association.
