Portuguese capital Lisbon has won, for the first time, the award for Best Culinary City Destination in Europe at the World Culinary Awards.
According to a press statement by the city tourism board, the award was received at a ceremony held in Dubai and among the competing cities were Barcelona, Copenhagen, Florence, London, Paris and Vienna.
The statement adds that gastronomy is one of the key points for a tourist when choosing a destination and that Lisbon has long been recognised for its diverse and high-quality offer.
From typical and local outlets with traditional food, to signature restaurants and Michelin-starred chefs who reinterpret classic flavours, there is a wide selection that attracts visitors from all corners of the world.
“It is a source of great pride to see Lisbon’s identity and traditions honoured for the first time in this sector and how innovation combines with these gastronomic traditions,” says Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon.
“It is recognition of the quality of the gastronomy for which Lisbon is so well known and an award that encourages all the professionals who keep it alive. The local economy is increasingly a distinctive factor for the city of Lisbon and gastronomy contributes greatly to the quality of Lisbon’s tourism,” Moedas adds.
According to the statement, the World Culinary Awards, a ‘sister’ event to the World Travel Awards, are celebrating their fifth edition this year and aim to promote global culinary culture and encourage gastronomic tourism.
They highlight the best practices and innovations in the sector and cover various categories, including restaurants, chefs, hotels and other culinary-related establishments. The winners are chosen by public vote, it says.