Announcing FoodTreX Global Speakers – Day 2

12 April 2022

Speaker: Gabriel Malvar, The Extra Mile Productions (Philippines) – “ It’s Not Always About The Money “ Based in the Philippines, Gabriel Malvar expresses his passion for photography, writing but also travel, through the making of documentary films. For more than 12 years now, his company The Extra Mile Productions has directed multiple films and Gabriel is now a multi-award-winning producer and director!

Eager to share the stories of the locals and their culinary cultures, the Philippines-based coach company Victory Liner called on Gabriel to make short marketing videos titled “ Know your North.” This project allowed Gabriel to acquire a very thorough knowledge of Filipino culture and to build strong and sincere relationships with the people. We will therefore be delighted to welcome Gabriel to present the marketing campaign set up by Victory Liner and its impact on the development of local and international tourism in the Philippines!

Speaker: Chantal Cooke (United Kingdom) – “Engineering A More Sustainable Culinary Destination“

Passionate about nature, wildlife, photography, crafts and communications, from an early age, Chantal Cooke is now an accomplished and committed journalist in the service of the Planet. In addition to writing short articles for various magazines, Chantal runs Panpathic Communications and helps small businesses, freelance authors and crowdfunding companies manage their communication. It also helps them reach 1000 customers / readers / investors via public relations, social media or by setting up dynamic communication campaigns inspiring action. Chantal is also a member of the English station PASSION for the PLANET which is the only radio station dedicated to a green, healthy and ethical lifestyle.

In recent years, travellers’ consumption patterns have evolved. Today, between two similar restaurants, consumers will be more likely to choose the one that has a more sustainable offer. Gradually, catering became a way to promote a destination. However, if a destination is not sustainable, the sustainable culinary offer will struggle to attract and reassure tourists. Sustainability is a commitment of everyone and every moment, which requires constant work and investment. To understand the link between catering and tourist offices, Chantal will intervene to give us concrete examples of how the two can work together and in perfect harmony.

Speaker: Alejandra Espinoza (Ecuador) – “ How The Pandemic Changed Foodservice “

For several years now, the world has changed enormously: the restaurant industry is no longer the same, the supply chain seems to be under more and more pressure, food prices are soaring, the shortage of labor is frightening… Listing all the challenges that catering faces would be tedious. However, despite all these challenges, there is still hope!

Alejandra Espinoza , is the Executive Chef of the Somos restaurant , in Quito, Ecuador. After many professional experiences including the Plaza Athénée in Paris and another alongside the French Chef Guy Savoy, Alejandra co-created the Ground Kitchen, a gastronomic concept for lovers of Californian cuisine. Alejandra now promotes local supplies, the well-being and the evolution of her teams to whom she attaches great consideration. Building on all these successes, Alejandra will intervene to explain the perception and meaning of restaurant catering for the new generation of food-loving travelers.

Speaker : Rodrigo Pacheco (Ecuador) – “ Regenerative Gastronomy To The Rescue “

At the World Food Travel Association, we believe that food as the power to reconnect cultures and bring people together. It also has the ability to restore ecosystems.

Passionate about “regenerative gastronomy”, chef Rodrigo Pacheco is fully dedicated to offering a cuisine that is both healthy and respectful of the environment. His restaurant Bocavaldivia uses ingredients made in pristine agricultural conditions in the company of local fishermen and permacultures. “regenerative gastronomy” also makes it possible to return to the past, using ancestral techniques. Talented and committed, Rodrigo’s work has attracted the attention of many political leaders, activists, private companies, other Chefs including Chef Joan Roca, who has 3 stars in the Michelin guide and Netflix!

Eager to share his commitments and show that it is possible to cook while respecting the environment, Rodrigo will join us to present the concepts and propose ways to introduce this approach in our regions. He will show how it is possible to reconnect guests with the food resources they enjoy.

Speaker : Roberta Garibaldi (Italy) – “ What’s New In Wine Tourism In 2022? “

While wine tourism has been experiencing incredible development in recent years, it is no longer just a matter of taking a guided tour and tasting wines. Now, tourists want to experience the wine culture of the destination they are visiting.

Faced with this new demand, wineries have had to rethink their offers in order to be more creative, to offer new experiences, develop new partnerships and find new targets. The health crisis has also had an impact on the development of sustainable tourism, in which tourists are now very interested. Indeed, wine-loving tourists also choose their destination according to its sustainability.

It is in this context made up of multiple challenges, that Roberta Garibaldi will be pleased to join our summit. Roberte has an extremely rich professional life: university professor, member of the Board of Directors of the World Institute of Gastronomy and of the Board of Directors of the Italian Society of Tourism Sciences (SISTUR), speaker for the UNWTO Forum on Wine and Gastronomy, Roberta is also the author of numerous scientific publications including the “ Report on Gastronomy Tourism in Italy “. With all her experiences, Roberta will intervene to present us the new needs and expectations of travelers. It will also offer suggestions on how to develop more authentic, more creative offers.

Join us on April 28-29, 2022, to hear these speakers share their stories. Register here.

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Podcast - Ireland Made by Makers

11 January 2026

In this episode, Erik Wolf speaks with Santina Kennedy, an award-winning Irish food consultant, producer champion, and storyteller whose work bridges food history, culture, and contemporary experience design. Santina shares her unconventional journey from banking to café ownership, and ultimately to a vocation that did not exist when she was young: interpreting Irish food culture through storytelling, events, and strategic collaborations. She reflects candidly on delayed purpose, entrepreneurship without capital, and why genuine hospitality matters more than polish or scale. The conversation explores Ireland’s overlooked food narratives - from tenant farmers and kitchen workers to everyday staples like potatoes, butter, and bread - and how these stories can be brought to life through immersive experiences in galleries, estates, and public institutions. Santina also dives deeply into Irish whiskey, explaining how history, resilience, terroir, and innovation are expressed in mash bills, grains, and pairing traditions. A standout theme is Santina’s advocacy for St. Brigid as Ireland’s original food and hospitality patron, and her work elevating Brigid’s legacy through food, drink, poetry, and craft. The episode concludes with a thoughtful discussion on regional food networks, particularly County Wicklow, and why Ireland must first teach its own people to value their food culture before expecting visitors to understand it. This is a rich, reflective conversation about identity, resilience, and the power of food to tell the true story of a place. You can learn more about Santina here . The Taste of Place podcast is sponsored by the World Food Travel Association’s Taste of Place movement. Taste of Place is a global initiative that celebrates culinary culture, food heritage, and the makers behind them. Through the movement, travelers and consumers are encouraged to connect more deeply with destinations and products through their unique flavors and traditions. Learn more at JoinTasteofPlace.org . 🎙️ Available now on Spotify, iTunes & your favorite podcast platforms (Search for "Taste of Place") 📺 Prefer video? Watch it now on our YouTube channel . Or listen here now:

Tourism and Culinary Heritage: Finding the Right Balance

5 January 2026

REGISTER NOW As interest in local food cultures continues to grow, destinations face increasingly complex choices. Tourism can support culinary heritage by strengthening local economies and raising awareness of food traditions. At the same time, poorly managed promotion can simplify, commodify, or distort cultural practices. This webinar brings together perspectives from across the system to examine how tourism and culinary heritage can coexist more responsibly. Panelists: - Janice Ruddock, Executive Director, Ontario Craft Brewers Association - Sean O’Rourke, President, Eat & Walkabout Tours - Niclas Fjellström, Executive Director, Culinary Heritage Network - Erik Wolf, Executive Director, World Food Travel Association The discussion will be moderated by Marc Checkley, a Lausanne-based storyteller, journalist, and experienced event host with a background in food, wine, travel, and cultural programming. Topics include: Recognizing culinary heritage as living culture rather than a static product Understanding how tourism and markets influence tradition over time Identifying where destinations most often struggle to find balance Applying practical principles for responsible promotion and stewardship This session is relevant for destination marketers, tourism offices, policymakers, producer associations, educators, and anyone working at the intersection of food, culture, and place. There is no cost to attend. REGISTER NOW

2025 Year in Review

by Erik Wolf • 1 January 2026

In 2025, the World Food Travel Association focused on strengthening culinary culture as living heritage, supporting the people and practices that sustain it, and building informed global collaboration rooted in values rather than prestige. Advanced the Taste of Place Movement and Alliance We clarified and communicated the purpose of the Taste of Place Movement — a global effort dedicated to safeguarding culinary heritage and empowering the keepers of food culture in alignment with the Declaration for the Preservation of Culinary Heritage . The Taste of Place Alliance framework was defined to support destinations, organizations, and practitioners who share these values. We also invite those who support this mission to join the Movement through philanthropic contributions. Do you represent a destination? Please contact us to learn how your destination can participate. Delivered Strategic Advisory and Destination Engagement Work We conducted destination-level analysis and advisory engagement in diverse regions, including the Bothnian Bay area of Sweden and Finland and with Saudi Arabia’s Culinary Arts Commission , to help partners explore how food culture, regional identity, and cooperation can contribute to responsible cultural and economic resilience. Updated Professional Training Programs All certification and training programs were updated with current research, terminology, and real-world cases. Regular refresh cycles ensure that practitioners receive instruction that reflects the most accurate and relevant information available. Built Relationships Through Targeted Engagement We engaged directly with destinations, stakeholders, and partners through site visits and industry events, including exploratory meetings in Umbria, Italy and participation in World Travel Market , to listen, assess alignment, and foster partnerships grounded in cultural integrity. Expanded and Recognized Leadership Within Our Global Network In 2025 we welcomed new Ambassadors from diverse regions, including Chef Dela Acolatse ( Ghana ) and Gerald Kock ( Aruba ), and named Mabel Esther Vega Montaño ( Colombia ) as our first Taste of Place Guardian, recognizing her lifelong commitment to ancestral knowledge and rural food culture. These appointments reinforce our values as articulated in the Declaration for the Preservation of Culinary Heritage. Interested in becoming an Ambassador or Guardian in your area? If you share our values and commitment, please get in touch . Honored Outstanding Contributions to the Field We awarded the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award to Francesc Fusté-Forné (Girona, Spain) in recognition of his distinguished career advancing food tourism research, education, and understanding of culinary culture. We also invited the community to nominate other individuals whose work has made enduring contributions to our field. Provided Global Advocacy Through Editorial and Media Platforms We continued to interpret and elevate global developments in newsletters and digital content, and through the Taste of Place Podcast , which released 11 episodes in 2025 featuring inspiring leaders. Notable episodes included “Peace Through Food” with Paula Mohammed, “The Sweet Taste of Ethics” featuring Veronica Peralta on ethical chocolate, and “From Tunisia With Flavor” with Jamie Furniss on repositioning Tunisian cuisine for travelers. By sharing these conversations, we reinforced food as cultural heritage and connected listeners with makers and culture bearers.

New Episode - Why Artisanal Still Matters

31 December 2025

🎧 New Podcast Episode Alert! Episode 83: “Why Artisanal Still Matters” featuring Heike Winter What happens when you completely reinvent your life at 50—and return to the culinary traditions that shaped you? In Episode 82, host Erik Wolf speaks with Daniela Sfara, the Canadian-Italian chef, cultural ambassador, and founder of ITALUS whose mission is to preserve the disappearing regional foodways of Italy. Daniela shares her extraordinary personal transformation from a 20-year jewellery career to becoming a respected voice in culinary culture, hospitality excellence, and immersive food experiences across Italy, Dubai, Europe, and North America. Daniela’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and deep cultural stewardship. Whether you work in food, tourism, hospitality, or simply love Italian cuisine, this is an inspiring reminder that food is identity, and preserving culinary heritage is an act of service to future generations. 🎙️ Available now on Spotify, iTunes & your favorite podcast platforms (Search for "Taste of Place") 📺 Prefer video? Watch it now on our YouTube channel. Or listen here now:

Road stretching towards the setting sun. Golden sky, open fields.

Tales from the Road [4Q 2025]

31 December 2025

ARUBA (Gerald Kock) Savaneta Seafood Festival: A Model for Community-Led Food Touri sm in Aruba The inaugural Savaneta Seafood Festival, held on September 28, 2025, by Fundación Savaneta Prome Capital, marked a significant moment in Aruba’s culinary and cultural calendar. In the island’s first capital, seaside streets were transformed into a pedestrian-only celebration where food, music, and heritage came together as a powerful expression of local identity. Attracting an estimated 6,000 visitors, the festival demonstrated strong demand for authentic, community-driven experiences among both residents and travelers. Central to the event was an “Ocean-to-Plate” revival. Twenty-four local vendors showcased seafood such as snails, conch, shrimp, and lobster, prepared using traditional family recipes and fresh local herbs. The festival also revived a local fishing tournament for the first time in 40 years. Approximately 30 boats and 100 fishermen landed a collective catch of 880 kg, reinforcing the connection between sea, community, and tradition. Part of the catch was donated and grilled on-site by local chefs, allowing visitors to experience the full journey from ocean to plate - a powerful symbol of sustainability, generosity, and shared pride. Beyond gastronomy, the festival elevated local culture and entrepreneurship through art, crafts, and music, positioning Savaneta as a living example of how cultural heritage and economic opportunity can thrive together. From the perspective of Food Tourism Ambassadors for the World Food Travel Association, the festival offers a replicable framework for Aruba’s future: a model in which each district expresses its distinct identity through food, storytelling, and place-based experiences. The Savaneta Seafood Festival stands as proof that culinary heritage can strengthen community resilience and support sustainable tourism. More than a single event, it presents a compelling vision of how small places can achieve meaningful global impact through food.

New Episode - Cooking by Heart Not by Recipe

14 December 2025

🎧 New Podcast Episode Alert! Episode 82: “Cooking by Heart, Not by Recipe” featuring Daniela Sfara What happens when you completely reinvent your life at 50—and return to the culinary traditions that shaped you? In Episode 82, host Erik Wolf speaks with Daniela Sfara, the Canadian-Italian chef, cultural ambassador, and founder of ITALUS whose mission is to preserve the disappearing regional foodways of Italy. Daniela shares her extraordinary personal transformation from a 20-year jewellery career to becoming a respected voice in culinary culture, hospitality excellence, and immersive food experiences across Italy, Dubai, Europe, and North America. Daniela’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and deep cultural stewardship. Whether you work in food, tourism, hospitality, or simply love Italian cuisine, this is an inspiring reminder that food is identity, and preserving culinary heritage is an act of service to future generations. 🎙️ Available now on Spotify, iTunes & your favorite podcast platforms (Search for "Taste of Place") 📺 Prefer video? Watch it now on our YouTube channel. Or listen here now: