In a significant stride towards revolutionising the culinary and tourism industries, Culinary Heritage last week participated in the BASCIL project's meeting. Though not a project partner, Culinary Heritage's involvement highlights its commitment to supporting initiatives that align with its mission to preserve and promote culinary heritage globally. Hosted by Finnish partners XAMK and Lomalaidun, the event convened in Mikkeli, a city renowned for its picturesque location on the shores of Saimaa, the largest lake in Finland and the fourth largest in Europe. This gathering marked a pivotal moment for the BASCIL project, which aims to empower food producers to diversify their offerings with tourism-oriented products.
The BASCIL project, boasting 15 partners across the Baltic Sea region, focuses on the integration of local food production with the burgeoning sector of culinary tourism. The meeting in Mikkeli brought together these project partners when they presented 93 pilot companies from 12 regions, each with a unique vision for attracting visitors through innovative culinary experiences.
A Confluence of Culinary Innovation and Heritage
The meeting unfolded over three days, filled with engaging programs, workshops, and networking opportunities aimed at fostering collaboration and sharing insights among the attendees. The event kicked off with a welcome session at Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Mikkeli, followed by a series of visits to local culinary and tourism spots, including Kaaupihaali, Kenkävero and Sahanlahti Resort.
The core of the meeting was dedicated to presentations and workshops on the progress in pilot regions, strategies for adapting culinary tourism solutions, and the preparation for the upcoming summer and autumn piloting season of 2024. These discussions, led by experts and project coordinators, highlighted the innovative approaches pilot companies are planning to introduce to the market.
Looking Towards a Future of Culinary Destinations
As the BASCIL project moves forward, the enthusiasm and commitment of the 93 pilot companies suggest a future rich with unique and compelling culinary destinations. These companies, spanning 12 regions, are set to pilot diverse "products" aimed at captivating visitors with their local flavours and culinary heritage. The anticipation for these offerings is high, with expectations set for a summer launch that promises to bring new experiences to tourists and food enthusiasts alike.
The project meeting in Mikkeli not only served as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration but also highlighted the potential for regional culinary tourism to become a significant economic and cultural driver. The synergy among the BASCIL project partners and the pilot companies is a testament to the shared vision of enhancing the visibility and accessibility of local culinary treasures on a global stage.
Forging Ahead
As the BASCIL project gears up for its piloting phase, the roadmap laid out in Mikkeli points towards a harmonious blend of culinary innovation and preservation of heritage. The project's focus on designing and marketing regional culinary tourism products, coupled with the collective expertise of its partners and pilot companies, paves the way for a transformative impact on local communities and the global culinary landscape.
Culinary Heritage's support and expertise in this groundbreaking initiative underscores its commitment to supporting the sustainable growth of culinary tourism led by the Swedish Incubator & Science Park, Krinova, as the lead partner for the BASCIL project. By bridging the gap between local food producers and the tourism industry, the BASCIL project is set to create new opportunities for economic development and cultural exchange, enriching the global culinary tourism experience one region at a time.
An article about the BASCIL project meeting in the Finnish press (in Finnish language) can be found in the online version of Maaseudun Tulevaisuus.
More about the background and information about the BASCIL project can be found at the Swedish Institute homepage and at the BASCIL official landing page on Interreg Baltic Sea.
