Vanuatu 

IGCAT World Region of Gastronomy 2027

remembering the past, regenerating the future

About the nomination

Vanuatu is an official candidate for the 2027 World Region of Gastronomy title, aiming to become the first Pacific region to achieve the designation. The nomination is led by Regenerative Vanua in collaboration with the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) and is anchored on protecting food security and local agricultural and gastronomy traditions.

You can read Vanuatu’s formal strategic proposal (also known as a bid book) here.

“Vanuatu has enough food grown out of subsistence agriculture, gardening, fishing, and raring poultry and livestock to feed her people. For me and my fellow ambassadors, the World Region of Gastronomy Candidacy is an opportunity to remind our people and to show the world that our islands have been blessed with plentiful resources to sustain our health and wellbeing into the future - so long as we are capable of remembering our past, and regenerating our future.”

— Votausi Mackenzie-Reur, Chair of Regenerative Vanua Board & recipient of the Honorary Ambassador Award from the Institute of Gastronomy Culture, Arts and Tourism for 2027

Meet the Ambassadors

  • Votausi Mackenzie-Reur

    Owner of Lapita Cafe, Chair of Regenerative Vanua Board

  • Leila Jacobé

    Bio-logic Regenerative Farming, President of RAGAA

  • Charlie Lengtehi

    Sanma Agrifood Trade Association

  • Patricia Maximo

    Vanua Cafe and Farmacy

  • Robert Nidithhawae

    Aneityum Island Chef

  • Dr Basil Leodoro

    Co-founder of Sanma Food Revolution

  • Ashianna Carcasses

    Romarin Farm

  • Knox Taleo

    Chef, Skills adviser for Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC)

  • Gordon Garae

    Ta Vai Peri-Urban Backyard

  • Lynette Kalfau

    Founder of Vanua Breakfast

  • Alick Abel

    Regenerative Gastronomy Chef

  • Christopher Bulememe

    Chris’ Catering Services

  • Louis Tiome

    Founder Chez Louis, Santo

  • Alain Jacobe

    Vanuatu Farmers Association

  • Lilon Takau

    Co-Founder Mummy Lil & Takau’s Kitchen

What’s Happening

  • Food Film Menu 2026- Submit!

    The Food Film Menu 2026 is looking for short films that explore the connection between gastronomy, local identity and tourism, highlighting how food traditions, recipes and local production can contribute to more sustainable destinations. The category Regenerative Pathways focuses on stories that showcase the integration of local food and culture into tourism, supporting environmental, economic and community resilience, particularly in rural areas.

    Submit your film and share your story with the world. Deadline: 29 June 2026. Click here for more information.

    Submit here

  • Read Kakae Vanuatu (Bid Book)

    Together with local farmers, fishers, Mummas, value-adders, nutritionists, cooks and the Vanuatu Kaljoral Senta, Regenerative Vanua published the World Region of Gastronomy 2027 Bid Book – titled ‘Kakae Vanuatu: Remembering the Past, Regenerating the Future’. The book was awarded Best South Pacific Free Book in the World during the Gourmand Awards in 2025. You can read it here.

    Read here

  • Regenerative Gastronomy: A Shared Pathway for Vanuatu’s People and Future

    “In Vanuatu, food has always meant more than simply what we put on our plates. In Vanuatu, kakae is land, it is ocean, it is farming, it is harvesting. Kakae tells stories, is connected to culture, knowledge, ritual and language. Deeply rooted in Vanua, kakae is woven into the very fabric of each Vanua’s story.”

    We spend some time breaking down the term, and applying it in context ahead of Vanuatu's 2027 World Region of Gastronomy Bid.

    Read here

  • Vanuatu recommended for the title of World Region of Gastronomy 2027

    An international jury composed of four Experts accompanied by IGCAT’s President, Diane Dodd PhD, have recommended Vanuatu as region for the title World Region of Gastronomy 2027.

    Read more here