On August 6, Gastronomic Tourism Association of Uzbekistan opened its doors. The ceremony dedicated to this event was held in the conference hall of the Association of Chefs of Uzbekistan, the press service of the State Tourism Committee said.

The aim of the Association is to organize various events in the field of gastronomic tourism, including exhibitions, festivals, forums, seminars, scientific conferences, roundtables, competitions and other events dedicated to the gastronomic history of Uzbek cuisine.

According to officials, in order to extend the tourist season in the country, the Association will regularly hold the international festival of national cuisine “Lazzat Uzbekistan” in November each year, attract international travel agencies and organize regional gastronomic tours throughout Uzbekistan.

In addition, members of the Association will be awarded in such nominations as “Best restaurant of the year”, “Waitress of the year”, “Best restaurant manager”, “Chef of the year”.

“Uzbek cuisine is one of the main attractions of our country for foreign tourists. The activity of the Association also provides for the creation and popularization of gastronomic brands in Uzbekistan,” the chairman of the association Gulnoza Odilova said. 

According to her, a museum of Uzbek national gastronomy will be created in the country, which will provide a comprehensive presentation of Uzbek national cuisine and its history for foreign tourists.  

As part of the opening ceremony, representatives of the Association spoke about its purpose, activities and conditions of membership, as well as provided information about restaurants, cafés, catering establishments of the republic.