Mexico's Puebla Becomes the New Ibero-American Capital of Gastronomy

This Sunday, August 28, at the Municipal Palace of Puebla, the act of awarding the title of Capital of Gastronomic Culture of Ibero-America 2022/2023 was held, which this Mexican city has deserved.

"Today, fortunately 15 countries that make up the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy (AIBG) have unanimously recognized Puebla to be the Ibero-American Capital 2022/2023. I have to say, beyond being an effort of the City of Puebla, it is a result of the work of all of you: restaurateurs, producers, all the people who do gastronomic management, universities, academics, researchers, all business owners who are linked to this great productive chain," said Fabian Valdivia Perez, general director of the Municipal Institute of Art and Culture, in his welcoming remarks. 

Jose Carlos de Santiago, president of the Excelencias Group and vice-president of the AIBG, addressed those present and developed the event on behalf of Don Rafael Ansón, president of the AIBG. He expressed his pride and honor at being able to present the title to the municipal president and the people of this city as the Capital of Gastronomic Culture of Ibero-America 2022/2023.

"Gastronomy is the fundamental element that any person has to live with because without it we could not be here," said José Carlos de Santiago. During his speech, he referred to the four S's that mark gastronomy and called to work based on them during the capital that Puebla is starting. In addition to offering his congratulations, he invited to promote Puebla as an incredible town and city: "a national center of gastronomy". 

For his part, Rafael Ansón, also honorary president of the Royal Academy of Spanish Gastronomy and honorary president of the International Academy of Gastronomy, sent his congratulations for this appointment through a video. "Puebla will undoubtedly be a stage, a showcase, where the public of America can demonstrate at this time from the cultural and gastronomic point of view that it is one of the most important geopolitical spaces in the world. Mexico and Puebla are at this fundamental center," he added.   

Eduardo Rivera Pérez, municipal president of Puebla, finally spoke before the guests: "The designation of Puebla as Capital of Gastronomic Culture of Ibero-America 2022/2023 represents, of course, a great recognition of the gastronomic tradition of our city, but it is not only for the city, it is for the workers of the Puebla countryside, for the traditional cooks. It is a recognition to the restaurant sector, to the universities and institutes that also have careers and professionals who today train people in this important sector. It is also a recognition to all those who are linked to gastronomy, such as, for example, the casserole ovens of the Barrio de la Luz, or the talavera workshops". 

He argued that this is a great commitment. "We are going to have to work together on this project because it will allow us to expand the dissemination of the values of our Puebla gastronomy and, at the same time, boost the economic reactivation of our city," he said. 

He explained the five major advantages of the appointment: the dissemination, research, and enhancement of local and regional gastronomy; the visibility of local products and the unique elements of Puebla's cuisine; the attraction of visitors to the city; the organization of gastronomic activities and cultural entertainment; and the professionalization of the sector. He also indicated that the capital status will be accompanied by the brand "Puebla, the cuisine of Mexico".     

"There is a great task and a long way to go", predicted the municipal president of this Mexican city.