Launceston designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy
Celebrating Tasmania's unique paddock-to-plate culture
Stillwater Restaurant. Nat Mendham Photo
(July 19, 2022) The city of Launceston in Northern Tasmania has been designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, joining an exclusive list of just 49 cities globally. Northern Tasmania has traditionally been recognised for its unique paddock-to-plate culture, with the Cradle to Coast food trail a popular gastronomic experience among visitors, while Launceston plays a vital role as the region’s gourmet hub. With this designation, the city of Launceston asserts its place among the world’s great epicurean destinations.
The Truffle Farm Tasmania - Photo Courtesy of Australia Tourism
The criteria for the designation includes:
• Vibrant gastronomy community with numerous traditional restaurants and/or chefs
• Indigenous ingredients used in traditional cooking
• Local know-how, traditional culinary practices and methods of cooking that have survived industrial/technological advancement
• Tradition of hosting gastronomic festivals, awards, contests and other broadly-targeted means of recognition; and
• Respect for the environment and promotion of sustainable local products
Josef Chromy Photo Courtesy of Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) announced the title as part of its Creative Cities Network, a program operating since 2004, which aims to strengthen cooperation among cities and help guide economic, social, cultural, and environmentally sustainable development.
Stelo at Pierre’s
Tourism Tasmania’s CEO John Fitzgerald believes the designation is validation of the efforts put in by the region’s chefs, producers and farmers to offer a truly amazing gastronomic experience. “This incredible achievement places Launceston firmly on the global stage, and cements the City as a bucket-list destination for culinary tourists seeking quality food, wine and produce.”
Timbre kitchen. Kelly Slater Photo
For travellers planning for a taste of Launceston’s menu, they can look forward to ample selections of cafes, restaurants and bars that offer everything from Robbins Island wagyu to charcoal-grilled hapuka. Beyond the city, Northern Tasmania offers farm to table experiences, cooking workshops and vineyards that truly showcase flavours found nowhere else on Earth.
For more information on Tasmania’s food & drink experiences, visit our website https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/things-to-do/food-and-drink/
