All 27 cities and districts of South Jeolla Province and Gwangju will gather at Yeongsangang Garden from Oct. 23 to 25 to showcase their signature flavors.
Naju city has prepared host-city content including a Namdo Food Culture Forum and a dedicated Naju Special Pavilion for the occasion.
The flavors and culinary traditions of the Namdo region are set to take center stage in Naju this fall, as the city prepares to host a major food festival coinciding with the launch of the South Jeolla-Gwangju integrated special city.
Naju city said Wednesday that the 31st Namdo Food Culture Festival — the region's largest culinary gathering — will be held at Yeongsangang Garden from Oct. 23 to 25, bringing together signature dishes from all 27 cities and districts of South Jeolla Province and Gwangju for visitors to taste and experience firsthand.
Co-hosted by the South Jeolla-Gwangju integrated special city and Naju city, and organized by the Namdo Food Culture Festival Foundation, the event carries the theme "United as one integrated special city through the flavors of Namdo." All 27 local governments — 22 cities and counties in South Jeolla Province and five autonomous districts in Gwangju — will participate.
This year's festival marks a shift away from a primarily exhibition- and viewing-based format toward what organizers are calling a "stay-and-savor food festival," where visitors can taste, prepare and enjoy Namdo cuisine and linger at the venue.
Organizers plan to expand on-site cooking, tasting and sales of signature dishes from all 27 jurisdictions, while also showcasing traditional recipes from Namdo culinary masters alongside everyday home-style dishes enjoyed by local residents — offering a broad and deep look at the region's food culture in one place.
The wide, open grounds of Yeongsangang Garden will be used to create a garden-style festival space where food, performances, hands-on activities and relaxation blend naturally, allowing visitors to take their time and enjoy the tastes and character of Namdo at a leisurely pace.
Planned programs include an opening ceremony and themed performances, a Namdo food tasting program, a sales area for signature dishes from South Jeolla Province and Gwangju, a Namdo culinary masters pavilion, exhibition halls for all 27 cities and districts, Namdo food experiences, a children's cooking class, a cooking competition, and a youth food and dessert zone.
A paid tasting experience, offered for the first time this year, is also drawing attention.
Run through advance registration, the paid tasting program will let visitors sample dishes prepared by Namdo culinary masters, special creations by well-known local chefs, and signature foods from all 27 cities and districts — giving attendees what organizers describe as a distinctive culinary journey through the diverse flavors of Namdo.
The culinary masters pavilion will pair food demonstrations and tastings with cooking shows, offering visitors a vivid look at the tastes and techniques behind traditional Namdo cuisine.
The 27 promotional pavilions will also center on tasting, introducing each area's signature and home-style dishes alongside the local culture and tourism resources tied to the food, so visitors can experience Namdo's culinary traditions in an accessible and welcoming way.
Ahead of the festival, Naju city plans to hold a Namdo Food Culture Forum to reexamine the history of the region's culinary traditions and the value of its gastronomic resources, while also preparing content that reflects the character of the host city.
The forum will take a broad look at traditional food culture passed down through generations — including ancestral clan cuisine and temple food — as well as Naju's distinctive culinary assets such as fermented dishes and the hongeo (fermented skate) of Yeongsanpo, exploring how these traditions can be developed into tourism and cultural content.
During the festival, a dedicated Naju Special Pavilion will spotlight the city's food culture, signature dishes and premium agricultural products, showcasing the full range of Naju's gastronomic offerings.
Through these efforts, the city aims to highlight Naju's culinary history and diversity as the festival host and present visitors with a fresh look at what it calls "Naju, the home of flavor."
"This year's Namdo Food Culture Festival will be a special culinary event where all 27 cities and districts of South Jeolla Province and Gwangju come together in one place to taste and enjoy the diverse foods of Namdo and experience the history and culture woven into them," a Naju city official said. "We will prepare rich content so that everyone can fully enjoy the tastes and spirit of Namdo in the beautiful setting of Yeongsangang Garden."
kkm9971@heraldcorp.com
