Culinary Trail Open Call: International Competition Frugal and Ethnic Gastronomes - ONLINE

Do you love cooking and enjoy fine wine?

Are you inspired by local traditions, cultural diversity, and the stories behind food and wine?

If yes – we would love to have you on board!

Join our international culinary competition and become part of a growing community that celebrates creativity, tradition, and the rich culinary heritage of the Danube Region.

This competition is organised within the Culinary Trail of the Ethnic and Local Cuisine in the Danube Region project and offers a unique platform to showcase ideas that connect food, sustainability, culture, and tourism.

Why Participate?

By joining the competition, you will have the opportunity to:

●      Present your idea to an international expert jury

●      Gain international visibility and recognition

●      Contribute to preserving and reinventing culinary heritage

●      Become part of the Culinary Trail network

●      Connect with chefs, sommeliers, tourism, and cultural professionals

●      See your winning concept integrated into professional training

●      Be announced as a winner at the Culinary Trail Festival in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, in May 2026.

About the Competition

The competition features two main categories:

🍽️ Frugal Gastronomes

This category is focused on creative, resource-efficient, and sustainable culinary solutions. Participants are challenged to develop an innovative dish concept that adheres to zero-waste principles, is cost-efficient, and is adaptable for professional kitchens.

🍷 Ethnic Gastronomes
Dedicated to sommeliers and culinary professionals working with ethnic and local cuisines. Participants develop a model wine list that highlights regional wines, cultural storytelling, sustainability, and strong links between food, wine, and local heritage.

For both categories, participants submit an ONLINE application.

Who Can Participate?

The call is open to:

●      Individuals

●      Teams (3–5 members)

●      Organisations

* participants must be over 18 years of age

Participants may apply at the national or transnational level. We warmly encourage applications from:

●      Youth and young professionals

●      Older adults

●      Persons with disabilities

●      People of all gender identities

●      Participants from rural, remote, or disadvantaged areas of the Danube Region

●      Participants who have undergone capacity building through Culinary Trail training courses.

Applicants from different professional backgrounds and sectors are welcome.

Competition Timeline

●      Call for applications: February 2026

●      Application & screening: March 2026

●      Competition event: May 2026

●      Winner announcement ceremony: May 2026, during the Culinary Trail Festival

How to Apply

Just follow these two simple steps:

1. Choose one competition category

2. Submit a concept proposal according to the guidelines

Detailed rules and evaluation criteria are available in the official competition documentation.

👉 Apply and be part of the future of sustainable and ethnic gastronomy in the Danube Region.

Application for Ethnic Gastronomes

Application for Frugal Gastronomes