Manabí – Ecuador | Declared a World Gastronomic Region by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Arts and Tourism

 

The Ecuadorian province of Manabí, located in the west of the country, in the geographical area known as the coastal region or simply known as “Costa”, coast, consisting of twenty - two cantons, with their respective urban and rural parishes, celebrated the declaration of World Gastronomic Region 2026, a recognition granted by the Igcat, the International Institute of Gastronomy, Arts and Tourism, a non - profit organisation established in 2010 and based in Sant Pol de Mar - Barcelona - Spain.

The proclamation made during the XXV Meeting of the IGCT Consultative Forum makes the Ecuadorian province the first region in the America to receive this title, which highlights the role of cuisine as an engine of sustainable development.

Among the outstanding dishes of this costal demarcation are the viche, a fish stew prepared with fisg poached in a sauce of onion, tomato, pepper, garlic cilantro and green plantains, the corviches, a dish made with green plantain balls filled by a a savory albacore – peanut mixture, the cazuela, a seafood soup prepared with green plantain, peanut paste, milk and fresh cheese, the bollo, generally a bun made from corn, yuca or potato and the pan de almidón, a type of bread made of cassava starch and cheese.

An international jury visited the province in October to evaluate the richness of local cuisine and also tasted preparations such as ceviches, usually made from fresh raw fish cured in citrus juices, it can also be made with shrimp and octopus often eaten as appetizer, tongas, traditional dish which combines the flavours of rice, peanut sauce, tender chicken assembled in a smoked banana leaf for outings and seafood, dishes accompanied by sal prieta, a condiment prepared with roasted peanuts, corn, achiote seeds, cumin, pepper and salt and chilli pepper.

In addition was also highlighted the Manabí oven, a key piece in its culinary tradition, is already Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ecuador.

To obtain this distinction, Manabí met several requirements, such as guaranteeing resources for gastronomic and cultural projects through a mixed fund from public and private entities and international cooperation.

The Prefect of the Province, Leonardo Orlando, highlighted the announcement on social networks and pointed out that it is a collective achievement of Manabí foe all of Ecuador, to put the Ecuadorian gastronomy, tourism, culture and heritage in the highest place.

Link - https://infoturlatam.com/ecuador-declaran-a-manabi-region-gastronomica-mundial/