Royal support for European Region of Gastronomy in 2017

Aarhus and Central Denmark Region are officially awarded the title European Region of Gastronomy in 2017 at an EU conference in Milan in Italy tomorrow, and the project will have also royal support, as well as support from Michelin-chef, Wassim Hallal.

His Royal Highness The Prince Consort, Prince Henrik of Denmark, has agreed to be the official patron for the year of gastronomy, which at a European level, is a recognition of the strong focus on food innovation and excellent food in Central Denmark Region and in Denmark in general.

"I am pleased to be the patron for an initiative that will promote Nordic gastronomy in an international context, ensure more awareness of local producers and stimulate interest for food among new generations," says His Royal Highness The Prince Consort, Prince Henrik.

In addition to the patronage by The Prince Consort, Wassim Hallal, chef and owner of Restaurant Frederikshøj in Aarhus, will take on the role of ambassador for the European Region of Gastronomy in 2017.

"Our regional gastronomy is known for using only local ingredients as much as possible. We have amazing lobsters and crabs in the bay, wonderful herbs in the forest and sublime vegetables in local farms. It is unique that we have so many options for finding fresh ingredients of the highest quality in the region's own kitchen garden," says Wassim Hallal, who hopes to attract even more food enthusiasts from around the world to the Central Denmark Region.

The title European Region of Gastronomy 2017 has been awarded after a collaborative application entitled "Rethink good food", from a wide range of partners: Central Denmark Region, Aarhus Municipality, European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017, Aarhus University, Aarhus TECH, AgroTech A/S, Danish Food Cluster, Future Food Innovation and the FOOD Organisation of Denmark.

"In Denmark, food is part of a strong tradition, and in the European Capital of Culture programme, gastronomy is a major theme. Food plays a crucial role when it comes to linking our cities with the countryside and our country with the rest of the world. We look forward to the promising collaboration on the European Region of Gastronomy," says Rebecca Matthews, Director European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017.

The prestigious title will be awarded on 29 September by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism as part of a EU conference on food tourism at the world exhibition EXPO 2015 in Milan in Italy, and in 2017, Central Denmark Region shares the honour with the Riga Region in Latvia and eastern Lombardy in Italy.