The taste of a cultural region

Culinary competition

Together with numerous local partners, the Makers, Business & Arts project brings together committed individuals for a materials initiative in Chemnitz. The vision: residual materials from cultural institutions and companies do not end up in the recycling centre, but can be reused by cultural associations, festivals, educational institutions and social organisations.

How the label "This is the taste of a cultural region" is awarded

  • Entrepreneurs from the food industry in Chemnitz and the cultural region can submit products or event ideas
  • The submitted entries are evaluated according to six criteria
  • A jury consisting of seven experts decides on the award of the label
  • The members of the jury were nominated by the four project partners
  • The evaluation is based on a points system. A maximum of 30 points can be awarded for all criteria
  • At least 20 points are required for the label
  • The best three entries with more than 20 points will be selected. And these receive a marketing package
  • The application is made via an online form. A flavour sample must also be submitted (if possible)
  • The marketing of the products or events is the responsibility of the traders themselves

Comprehensive marketing package for the best three submissions

The jury will select the three most interesting, tastiest and most creative products or events from all the entries that have been awarded more than 20 points. In addition to the "So schmeckt Kulturregion" label, these three will receive a comprehensive marketing package. This includes the presentation of the businesses and their winning entries at a press conference on the project. This will be followed by extensive reporting in the magazines of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Chamber of Crafts as well as on all digital channels of the participating organisations.

Application process and conditions of participation

  • Products or event ideas for the "So schmeckt Kulturregion" label can be submitted online until 16 August 2024
  • Submissions will be assessed according to the criteria described below
  • In addition, a taste sample must be submitted to the office of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH (Fabrikstraße 11, 09111 Chemnitz). Food that cannot be pre-produced or stored, such as ice cream, is excluded
  • The jury will make its decision by the end of September 2024

 

to the application portal for the competition "This is what a cultural region tastes like"

Criteria for products or culinary events

The product or event makes one or more contributions in line with the three pillars of sustainability: economy, ecology and social responsibility. These aspects are reflected in particular in the characteristics of regionality and origin of the ingredients, packaging and social relevance.

Packaging has a major impact on the ecological footprint of a product. It should be economical, practical, environmentally friendly and designed with the circular economy in mind. Furthermore, the placing on the market of packaging filled with products for the first time is subject to the Packaging Act, combined with verifiable registration in the packaging register.

The product or event must be typical of the region. The development and production (or realisation) takes place in the Chemnitz cultural region. Ingredients or supplier products or services must also come from the region. Ingredients etc. that are not available regionally but are essential for the product must be sourced from the nearest suitable source.

The product or event itself should have a positive impact on the public/society or on the company's own employees. This can be achieved, for example, through the company's social commitment, the use of fair trade supplier products or the involvement of children and young people in the development process.

The submitted product or event format must be a new or further development. Existing and marketed products will not be considered. The aim is to create new networks among local makers, producers and suppliers through the creative process of product development.

Chemnitz and the region are the European Capital of Culture 2025 and the producers and their products can be located in Europe. The development and production process, the method, the ingredients or the marketing can be categorised as European. The product or event connects the cultural region with Europe.

News

European Capital of Culture The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media Free State of Saxony European Capital of Culture

This project is co-financed by tax funds on the basis of the parliamentary budget of the state of Saxony and by federal funds from the Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien (Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media).