Launceston named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy

The city of Launceston in Northern Tasmania has been designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, joining an exclusive list of 49 cities globally.

Launceston plays a vital role as the region’s gourmet hub and this designation shows the city asserting its place among the world’s great epicurean destinations.

The Truffle Farm is one of the gastronomic experiences visitors can enjoy in Tasmania (Photo: Tourism Australia)

Traditionally recognised for its unique paddock-to-plate culture, Northern Tasmania offers a selection of cafés, restaurants and bars, including experiences like cooking workshops, vineyards, and the Cradle to Coast food trail – a popular gastronomic experience among visitors.

The criteria for the UNESCO designation include vibrant gastronomy community with numerous traditional restaurants and/or chefs; indigenous ingredients used in traditional cooking; local know-how, traditional culinary practices and methods of cooking that have survived industrial/technological advancement; tradition of hosting gastronomic festivals, awards, contests and other broadly-targeted means of recognition; and respect for the environment and promotion of sustainable local products.

Tourism Tasmania’s CEO John Fitzgerald believes the designation is validation of the efforts put in by the region’s chefs, producers and farmers to offer a truly amazing gastronomic experience.

He said: “This incredible achievement places Launceston firmly on the global stage, and cements the City as a bucket-list destination for culinary tourists seeking quality food, wine and produce.”

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