Meet Our Culinary Heritage Certification Inspectors

As we celebrate 30 years of Culinary Heritage, we are proud to introduce our dedicated team of Certification Inspectors. These professionals bring a wealth of experience and passion to our mission of preserving and promoting regional culinary traditions. They are actively engaging with both new and longstanding partners, with the first assessments scheduled to commence in the coming month.

Culinary Heritage Certification Inspectors from diverse regions, showcasing their expertise in various global sectors, including the continents of Africa, America, Asia and Europe.

Global Experts, Local Perspectives

Our Certification Inspectors hail from diverse backgrounds, each contributing unique insights to our certification process:

Niclas Fjellström – Global Coordinator 

As the Global Coordinator, Niclas oversees the Culinary Heritage network's operations. He is the primary contact for regions interested in joining and plays a pivotal role in training new inspectors, ensuring consistency and excellence across assessments.

Gerrie Du Rand – Certification Inspector for South Africa & Southern African Countries

Gerrie brings extensive expertise in the culinary arts and hospitality sectors within the Southern African context, enriching our certification process with regional insights.

Ivanka Luetić Boban – Certification Inspector for West Balkan Countries 

With a deep understanding of the West Balkan culinary landscape, Ivanka ensures that local traditions are honoured and integrated into our certification standards.

Erik Wolf – Certification Inspector Worldwide 

Erik's global perspective and experience in culinary tourism provide a comprehensive approach to our certification process, bridging diverse culinary practices worldwide.

Araz Aknam – Certification Inspector for Türkiye & Middle East 

Specialising in the rich and varied cuisines of Türkiye and the Middle East, Araz brings valuable regional expertise to our team.

Oleksiy Petelko – Certification Inspector for Central & Eastern Europe 

Oleksiy's knowledge of Central and Eastern European culinary traditions ensures that our certification process respects and promotes the unique flavours of these regions.

Mateusz Sieradzki – Certification Inspector for Poland 

With a focus on Polish culinary heritage, Mateusz works to preserve and certify the nation's rich food traditions.

Juta Bubina – Certification Inspector for Baltic & Nordic Countries 

Juta's expertise encompasses the diverse culinary practices of the Baltic and Nordic regions, promoting their unique food cultures.

Maria Athanasopoulou – Certification Inspector for Cyprus & Greece 

Maria brings a wealth of knowledge about Mediterranean cuisine, particularly the rich traditions of Cyprus and Greece.

Jacquelinne Villa – Certification Inspector for Latin America 

Representing Latin America, Jacquelinne ensures that the vibrant and diverse culinary traditions of the region are recognised and certified.

A Truly Global System Based on Local Identity

One of the unique strengths of the Culinary Heritage Certification is its ability to assess businesses anywhere in the world. Thanks to our comprehensive and detailed assessment system, based on the foundational pillars of Culinary Heritage, our inspectors are fully equipped to evaluate businesses regardless of their location or size.

This system ensures:

• Consistency: Assessments are guided by clear, standardised criteria to maintain fairness and quality across regions.

• Flexibility: Whether it’s a small artisanal producer in a rural area or a large restaurant in an urban center, the system adapts to diverse culinary contexts.

• Business Development: Assessments provide meaningful feedback that goes beyond certification, helping businesses improve operations, customer experiences, and sustainability practices.

Engaging with the Community

Our inspectors are currently reaching out to culinary businesses and organisations, fostering relationships and preparing for the upcoming certification assessments. This proactive engagement ensures that our standards are met and that we support the growth and recognition of regional culinary practices.

Looking Ahead

With the first assessments scheduled for the coming month, our team is dedicated to upholding the integrity and excellence that the Culinary Heritage Certification represents. We are excited to work with our partners worldwide to celebrate and preserve the rich tapestry of global culinary traditions.

Join us in this journey of culinary experiences!