Gastronomy: Cap Bon propels Tunisia to the top of African regions
- Eric ALAUZEN
- Jul 18
- 3 min read
A historic first for Africa: Tunisia's Cap-Bon region joins the prestigious Platform of World Gastronomy Regions. This recognition marks a turning point for the promotion of Africa's culinary heritage and its influence on the international stage.
As part of IGCAT's 12ᵉ General Assembly and 36ᵉ Consultative Forum, on June 18, 2025, Cape Bon (Tunisia) was officially welcomed as a candidate for the title of World Gastronomy Region 2028. An unprecedented event for the African continent!
The Cap-Bon region thus becomes the first in Africa to join the Platform of World Gastronomic Regions, and the second in the entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, affirming our commitment to highlighting the gastronomic and cultural diversity of the South.
What IGCAT is
IGCAT, or the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism, is an independent organization that works to strengthen regional capacities in the fields of sustainable food, culinary innovation, cultural tourism and territorial cooperation. It is behind the “World Gastronomy Region” label, which promotes responsible food practices, gastronomic education and the enhancement of regional identities.
An event hailed by its initiators
"We are deeply honored to welcome Cap-Bon, Africa's first region and a powerful representative of the MENA region, to the World Gastronomy Regions Platform. Cape Bon's unique culinary traditions, rich agricultural landscape and vibrant cultural heritage make it an inspiring candidate. This milestone demonstrates a strong commitment to cultural resilience and regional pride. "Dr Diane Dodd, IGCAT President
"Cap-Bon welcomed my Sicilian ancestors at the turn of the last century, giving them years of hard work and joy. After a decade living in the heart of this region, it's time for me to pay homage to the land, culture and cuisine that shaped my mother's childhood. I am proud to have initiated Cap-Bon's candidacy as a World Gastronomy Region and deeply encouraged to see the public and private sectors united, hand in hand, to make Cap-Bon shine on the international stage." Lamia Temimi, co-founder of Sawa Taste of Tunisia
A collective project with international reach
The bid is supported by a synergy of public and private players, including ATPNE (Association tunisienne de la protection de la nature et de l'environnement), IFMT (Institut de Formation aux Métiers du Tourisme), and the Nabeul-Hammamet Regional Tourism Authority, all mobilized to make Cap-Bon a model of sustainable gastronomic development in Africa.
This recognition illustrates the importance attached to preserving local culinary traditions, the peninsula's biodiversity and the desire to build responsible, inclusive tourism with a sense of identity.
With this candidacy, Cap-Bon is laying the foundations for a future in which gastronomy becomes a lever for cultural, social and economic development. By 2028, the region aims to strengthen sustainable food practices, promote gastronomic innovation and build bridges between tradition and modernity.
This dynamic is part of a broader commitment by Tunisia, which for several years has been actively promoting its culinary heritage as a strategic asset for tourism, cultural diplomacy and food sovereignty. From the richness of its local produce to the diversity of its know-how, Tunisian gastronomy is today a powerful driving force in the country's identity and economy.
A first in Africa, and one that will be followed by many others, driven by Tunisia's determination to capitalize on its culinary wealth. Gastronomy: Cap-Bon propels Tunisia to the top of African regions
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