Global Culinary Travel Award Winners Announced

15 September 2022
Global Culinary Travel Awards 2022

This week, the World Food Travel Association announced the winners of its 2022 Global Culinary Travel Awards to recognize excellence and innovation in culinary products and experiences for travelers. This year’s winners are:

Best Emphasis on Wellness & Health in Culinary Travel

1st place – Spa Eastman (Quebec, Canada)

Runner Up – Nomads, Nature & Nurture (Lebanon)

Best Use of Sustainability in Culinary Travel

Runner Up – Herdade da Malhadinha Nova (Portugal)

Best Celebration of Culinary Culture in Culinary Travel

1st – Jiranileo (Zambia)

Runner Up – Heather’s Helsinki (Helsinki, Finland)

Best Focus on Wine & Beverages in Culinary Travel

1st – HaliPuu / Campfire Barista (Finland)

Runner Up – Cadushy Distillery (Bonaire)

Best Appreciation of Agriculture & Rural in Culinary Travel

1st – La Balade Gourmande (Quebec, Canada)

“I’m delighted that we had such a robust turnout this year. We really didn’t know what to expect because of the state of the world. We were impressed by the quality and diversity of this year’s applications. There were some amazing applications, proving that there is still so much to see, to do and to taste in the world,” said Erik Wolf, Executive Director and Founder of the World Food Travel Association.

The Global Culinary Travel Awards (first called the FoodTrekking Awards) were introduced by the WFTA in 2015 to set the benchmark for excellence and innovation in our industry.  The annual Awards open every March 1, and winners are announced in the fall. This year, 10 winners were chosen from 131 entries from 27 countries who all strove to earn recognition for their business or destination.

The Awards Ceremony will be broadcast online on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 16:00 London UK time. Interested media professionals please get in touch for an invitation.

Culinary travel was officially recognized as a niche industry in 2001 with the publication of a white paper, “Culinary Tourism: The Hidden Harvest.” Since then, the industry has experienced tremendous growth in both the quantity and quality of products and experiences for food- and beverage loving-travelers.

Promotion for culinary capitals an innovative destination certification and development program for unknown destinations
Taste of place podcast listen to our culinary travel and culture podcast with erik wolf
Food
A membership page with a picture of pancakes on a plate.
30 September 2025
In Loving Memory and with Deep Gratitude: Honoring Brian F. Lorge
29 September 2025
🎧 New Podcast Episode Alert! Episode 80: “Mexico Beyond the Myths” featuring Ximena Velasco In this episode of the Taste of Place Podcast, we chat with Ximena Velasco, founder of the ¡Qué Gusto! festival in France. Originally from Mexico, Ximena has dedicated the past decade to changing perceptions of Mexican food abroad, proving that it is far more than fajitas or chili con carne. She shares her journey from working with Atout France to creating her own cultural platform, the challenges of promoting Mexican gastronomy in a country so deeply proud of its own food traditions, and the victories that come from perseverance, creativity, and trust in her instincts. 🎙️ Available now on Spotify, iTunes & your favorite podcast platforms (Search for "Taste of Place") 📺 Prefer video? Watch it now on our YouTube channel.
25 September 2025
Quarterly tales from the ambassadors of the World Food Travel Association
by Erik Wolf 21 September 2025
🎧 New Podcast Episode Alert! Episode 79: “Peace Through Food” featuring Paula Mohammed In this episode of the Taste of Place Podcast, we sit down with Paula Mohammed – podcaster, cultural explorer, and founder of In My Kitchen. Paula’s story begins with a unique multicultural upbringing as the daughter of a Pakistani father and Māori mother, raised in both Canada and New Zealand. She shares how a childhood memory of curried peas sparked a lifelong passion for connecting cultures through food. From organizing events and working in sports marketing, to launching In My Kitchen and facilitating culinary exchanges worldwide, Paula has built a life around creating peace through food — one dish and one story at a time. 🎙️ Available now on Spotify, iTunes & your favorite podcast platforms (Search for "Taste of Place") 📺 Prefer video? Watch it now on our YouTube channel.
Smiling Black chef in black uniform with arms crossed. Outdoor setting.
29 August 2025
Chef Dela Acolatse from Ghana is the newest certified ambassador for the World Food Travel Association.
by Erik Wolf 29 August 2025
🎧 New Podcast Episode Alert! Episode 78: “From Abidjan to London” featuring Paule-Odile Beke In this episode, Ivorian-French chef Paule-Odile Béké shares her journey from sneaking street food in Abidjan to founding her Afro-fusion catering company in London and competing on MasterChef: The Professionals. She reflects on her culinary roots, the influence of family, her experiences in Paris and London, and her mission to elevate Ivorian cuisine on the global stage. Paule also discusses resilience in the kitchen, the importance of mentorship, and her exciting new ventures with Ivorian teas, spirits, and food products. 🎙️ Available now on Spotify, iTunes & your favorite podcast platforms (Search for "Taste of Place") 📺 Prefer video? Watch it now on our YouTube channel.
More posts