UNESCO candidate City of Gastronomy
The National Unesco commission has selected Vico Equense as the candidate for this year’s call for application of the Creative Cities Network. The City will be the Italian representative in the Gastronomy field, the first one from Southern Italy.
The reasons behind Vico Equense candidacy
With its 13 quaint villages – located both on the mountain and near the sea – Vico Equense has a wealth of vegetation and marine biodiversity that are the foundation of its food tradition and culture.
With over 400 gastronomic businesses in just 30 sq km, Michelin starred restaurants, dozens of food events during the year and over 500.000 international participants recorded, Vico Equense is a little chest of the Italian creative gastronomy.
Thanks to an excellent educational centre, it is recognized as the City of chefs for training the most Italian awarded and starred chefs who have combined traditional knowledge with innovative cooking methods, becoming international ambassadors of the Mediterranean Diet and of the healthy and sustainable model of local cuisine.
The participative process
Vico Equense candidacy is the result of a long and collaborative process started in July 2022.
A scientific committee has been set up, including outstanding personalities of the gastronomy field. Among others, the starred chefs Gennaro Esposito, Antonino Cannavacciuolo and Peppe Guida. In addition to thematic in-person meetings, the use of social media and web platforms enabled the collection of comments and guidance in order to be able to improve and share the strategic lines of VE’s within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
Private and public stakeholders have participated in defining the actions and objectives of this application. Dozens of letters of support have been received from associations, professionals, chefs, training institutions, international universities and private companies.
How could Vico Equense contribute to the Network objectives?
– Exchanging best practices regarding production quality and traditional methods
– Involving Creative Cities in a professional development training program that leverages a distinctive food production landscape
– Developing a showcase of global food excellence and knowledge banks that promotes UCCN values through cooperative exchanges.
Discover our Gastronomic Initiatives
The City is committed to the ongoing organization of events for the general audience. Thanks to the creativity of the community, chefs and local associations, every year tens of food festivals are held across the territory. Take a look at our main events.
