Spain’s agriculture and food minister, Luis Planas, has presented the International Plan for Spanish Gastronomy, a strategy intended to make the country’s food a global benchmark and use it as both an economic driver and a calling card abroad.
The plan forms part of Spain’s National Food Strategy and was drawn up with contributions from more than 100 experts from the food and restaurant sector.
Ten measures
Planas said the aim was to strengthen Spain’s international leadership in gastronomy through coordinated action that builds on what already works. The plan sets out ten measures, including:
- creating an international training hub for Spanish gastronomy, to support the teaching of Spanish cuisine around the world;
- improving recognition abroad of Spain’s signature products and dishes;
- opening more commercial opportunities so that Spanish ingredients are easier to find in kitchens and shops in other countries.
The tapa and UNESCO
One of the most eye-catching proposals is a bid to have the tapa recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Planas acknowledged that, while the importance of tapas is obvious to Spaniards, the country will need to document its cultural significance carefully to succeed — and said such recognition would also bring benefits for tourism.
One brand, many regions
The plan also proposes a common gastronomic “country brand”. Spain’s regional cuisines are very different from one another, and Planas said the country’s strength lies in “both our diversity and our cohesion”, requiring a shared framework that celebrates local differences while presenting a national identity.
Quality, not just price
Miguel Sanz Castedo, director general of the state tourism agency Turespaña, said gastronomy should become a “state priority”, and stressed the need for Spanish products to be seen abroad for their quality rather than simply as good value.
The director general of food, José Miguel Herrero, described the plan as a living document that will evolve over time. The ministry said details of how the first measures will be implemented would follow in the coming weeks.
For the Balearics, where products such as sobrassada, ensaïmada, Mahón-Menorca cheese and local wines already carry protected status, a stronger national push abroad could help island producers reach new markets.
