From Segun Babatunde in Bauchi
The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) is gearing up for a successful hosting of the United Nations World Sustainable Gastronomy Day 2022, the second edition in the country scheduled for Saturday, 18th June, 2022 at the Abuja International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Disclosing this at the Abuja headquarters of the Institute, Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, Director General of NIHOTOUR said the 2022 edition of the event which promises to be educative and entertaining, is loaded with series of culinary activities to justify the objectives for the observance of the Day, and seeks to promote the art of food preparation and consumption by different cultures in a sustainable manner.
In a Press release signed by Ahmed Mohammed Sule, Media and Public Relations, NIHOTOUR, and made available to our correspondent Tuesday, the sustainable Gastronomy Day event is expected to attract thousands of visitors and participation by various Catering Schools, Food Vendors, Popular Eateries and leading Hospitality and Beverage Brands, Secondary Schools offering Tourism subjects and exhibitions by NIHOTOUR Hospitality Department as well as culinary display by Embassies and Diplomatic Missions in Nigeria.
Gastronomy, which is a cultural expression of nations through their food choices, sources of ingredients and types of cuisines that thrives in culturally rich destinations like Nigeria as the most competitive Gastronomy tourist destination in Africa, is celebrated on the 18th of June every year following the December 21st 2016 United Nations General Assembly, Resolution 71/246 which adopted and declared that the 18th June of every year be observed as a Sustainable Gastronomy Day.
The Concept of Sustainable Gastronomy which seeks to promote cultural cuisines and sustainable diets, compels hospitality service providers and ‘food tourists’ to focus on the variety and benefits of native ingredients in local cuisines as well as enhance sustainable production, consumption and to highlight humanity’s variety of food systems, was first observed in 2017, making this year’s observance the sixth globally, and the second in Nigeria, with NIHOTOUR as the nation’s apex public Agency responsible for training, research and regulation of professional practice in the Travel-Tourism and Hospitality industry, championing the successful hosting of the event in 2021.
According to report made available to the press, quite a number of activities are being lined up for the celebration of the 2022 edition which include Cooking competition among Catering Schools in FCT, Essay writing challenge for Secondary Schools offering Tourism as well as spotlight on leading hospitality brands and tourism business operators in Nigeria.
The event also offers a remarkable opportunity for Embassies and Diplomatic Missions in Nigeria to exhibit the traditional cuisines of their respective countries by showcasing, sharing, educating and informing the world of their rich diversity in food and beverages.
Activities of the observance day will be rounded up in the evening with a live musical performance by leading Nigerian artists during which prizes will be distributed to winners of the Cooking and Essay Writing competition.
