Varna. The second edition of the prestigious International Gourmet Fest 2026 was held in Varna on May 16 and 17, 2026, at the Festival and Congress Centre. The event gathered culinary professionals, educators, students, and enthusiasts from Bulgaria and around the world.

The main organizer of the forum is Kaloyan Kolev, president of the "New Bulgarian Cuisine" Association and a faculty member at the Institute of Culinary Arts affiliated with the Varna University of Management, which is also an academic partner of the event.

The official opening of Gourmet Fest 2026 was conducted by Ilin Dimitrov, Minister of Tourism. Among the official guests were Ludmila Nenkova, as well as Varna's deputy mayors Snejana Apostolova and Sofia Koleva.

The forum attracted leading culinary professionals from Bulgaria and internationally, with chefs from Italy, Sweden, Mexico, Spain, and Australia showcasing their skills and ideas.

The primary mission of Gourmet Fest 2026 is to position Bulgaria on the global culinary map and promote the use of high-quality seasonal Bulgarian products in contemporary gastronomy. The event provided an opportunity for the exchange of ideas, professional experience, and best practices among hospitality sector representatives, educational institutions, and businesses.

Gourmet Fest 2026 solidified its position as a significant international culinary event and the largest in Bulgaria, contributing to the development of gastronomic tourism and the promotion of Bulgarian cuisine both domestically and internationally.