I. COMPETITION DESCRIPTION

Organized by: IGCAT – International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism
Hosted by:
Crete, designated European Region of Gastronomy 2026, on 19 May 2026

The World Food Gift Challenge is a competition designed to reward and provide international visibility to high-quality artisanal food products and food-related crafts originating from World and European Regions of Gastronomy.

Through the World Food Gift Challenge, World and European Gastronomy Regions can support small and medium local producers of traditional products and highlight the stories that connect these products to their region, thereby creating added value for their territories.

II. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Products entered in the World Food Gift Challenge 2026 must meet the following characteristics:

• unique artefacts with authentic and natural qualities, combining fine ingredients or high-quality raw materials with the skill, passion, and care of the producer(s);
• not industrially or mass produced, but developed and delivered on a small scale, with the lowest possible environmental impact, resulting from the responsible use of energy and natural resources;
• the product must combine tradition with innovation, and its packaging must be sustainable / eco-friendly;
• the product must be representative of local gastronomy and able to convey compelling stories about it, about the producers and/or the region it comes from – especially through attractive packaging;
• the product must be available for online purchase.

III. PRODUCT TYPES

Participating regions must submit a total of four (4) products – two (2) products from each of the following categories related to culinary arts:

A. CULINARY GIFTS (2 products)

Local food products or beverages suitable for transport without the risk of deterioration or loss of nutritional properties.

In general, culinary gifts must be:

• suitable for human consumption;
• compliant with food safety regulations and food standards of the country where they are produced;
• reproducible in the manufacturing process and suitable for the market;
• locally produced;
• made primarily from local ingredients;
• made mainly from natural ingredients, such as unprocessed fruits and vegetables, meat, fish and seafood products, dairy products, herbs, and flowers.

B. FOOD-RELATED ARTISANAL GIFTS (2 products)

Cooking tools or equipment (such as cutlery, pots, baskets, containers, etc.) or other objects connected to local culinary traditions and suitable for transport.

In general, kitchenware-type gifts must be:

• reproducible in the manufacturing process and suitable for the market;
• locally produced;
• made primarily from local raw materials.

IV. SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA

Products entered in the World Food Gift Challenge 2026 will be evaluated by an international jury of experts from IGCAT and the World and European Regions of Gastronomy, according to the following criteria:

• PACKAGING (sustainability, recyclability, transport suitability, design)
• PRODUCT (design, branding, contemporary appeal, innovation)
• CONNECTION WITH THE GASTRONOMIC REGION (product and/or producer story)
• UNIQUENESS (use of local plant/animal varieties or raw materials, traditional craftsmanship, local design)
• PERSONAL IMPRESSION (value for money, attractiveness – would the juror buy it?)

Products will be scored from 1 to 10 for each of the above criteria
(where: 10 = Exceptional; 9 = Excellent; 8 = Very Good; 7 = Good; 6 = Above Average; 5 = Average; 4 = Below Average; 3 = Poor; 2 = Very Poor; 1 = Extremely Poor).

The jury will select 10 winners:
1st Prize, 2nd Prize, 3rd Prize and 7 Honourable Mentions.

In case of a tie, the Chair of the Jury will have the final decision.

V. AWARDS

Winning products will receive:

• International visibility and promotion on the IGCAT website and social media channels
• An official World Food Gift Challenge certificate for the selected producers to display at their headquarters
• A digital badge with a link to the IGCAT website, which winners can display on their official pages
• A dedicated presentation on the World Food Gift Challenge website, including product details and direct purchase links

 👉 Apply here: https://forms.gle/GHhJGAynXSHKsVqc7

 👉 World Food Gift Challenge past editions: https://www.worldfoodgiftchallenge.org/past-editions/