Romania's eastern region of Dobrogea has officially filed its candidacy for the title of European Gastronomic Region 2029, a distinction awarded by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT).
Alexandru Filip, manager of the Tourist Destination Management Organization (OMD) Tulcea Municipality, said the registration fee was paid last month, making Dobrogea's candidacy official.
"It's a very bureaucratic, tedious process, with many steps and filters. Jurors inspect the application file, and if the minimum criteria are met, they come on site to verify the statements. Afterwards, a shortlist is drafted, and two or three regions are chosen to receive the title," Filip told AGERPRES.
OMD Tulcea is the first organization of this type to respond to the proposal and holds decision-making power in the candidacy consortium, following discussions last year with the national association.
Dobrogea's bid is no surprise, given the popularity of its traditional dishes among tourists. "We came from Constanta to eat fish in Tulcea. The best fish is served here - fisher's borscht, fish meatballs, fish zacusca - all very good," said Ioana B., a visitor to Jurilovca commune.
One of the region's strengths is its multiculturalism, reflected in diverse gastronomy. "The dumplings with cheese and cream - Varenyky - remind me of my great-grandmothers," recalled Nadia Jigarov of the Russian-Lipovan Community in Tulcea.
Local restaurants also reinterpret traditional recipes to suit modern tastes. "Gastronomy is not a museum. It's alive. We propose pikeperch fillets with parmesan as a healthier alternative to Parisian pikeperch. We kept the Delta's symbolic fish but changed the technique from frying to baking. We have a treasure trove of fishing recipes, but many involve bony fish. We are in an area where we are visited by many foreign tourists who are rather used to sea fish, with fewer bones. The recipes are wonderful for locals, but they can be a challenge for certain tourists," said Florin Moldoveanu, director of a well-known Tulcea hotel restaurant.
Sibiu won the first title of European Gastronomic Region in Romania almost 10 years ago, Harghita will hold the title next year, and Banat is running for 2028.
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