Yucatán Wins Top Prize for Gastronomic and Tourist Promotion at Gastrolab 2025

Yucatán has earned the title of "State with the Best Gastronomic and Tourist Promotion" at the inaugural Gastrolab 2025 Awards. This accolade acknowledges the concerted efforts of the Mayan Renaissance Government, under Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena, to showcase Yucatán's rich culinary and cultural heritage both nationally and internationally. The event, which saw participation from Mexico's Secretary of Tourism, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, was a celebration of the country's gastronomic excellence, acknowledging the contributions of states, chefs, and organizations that champion Mexican cuisine.

Accepting the award on behalf of Governor Díaz Mena was the Secretary of Tourism Promotion, Darío Flota Ocampo. He reiterated Yucatán's commitment to developing its gastronomic tourism sector. This recognition builds on Yucatán's recent honor as the "Iberoamerican Capital of Pre-Columbian Gastronomy," a title bestowed at the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) in Madrid, Spain, earlier this year.

In the "Best Gastronomic and Tourist Promotion" category, Yucatán distinguished itself from competitors such as Oaxaca, Puebla, and Mexico City through its dedication to researching, preserving, and promoting its culinary heritage. Yucatecan chef Roberto Solís also received the "Ambassador of his Land" title, further emphasizing the global significance of Yucatecan cuisine. The head of the Yucatán Secretariat of Tourism Promotion (SEFOTUR) underscored that this award positions Yucatán as a premier cultural and gastronomic destination, lauding its Mayan roots and culinary diversity.

Key figures from the tourism and business sectors, including Nayarit Governor Miguel Ángel Navarro Quintero; Ángel Mieres Zimmermann, chairman of the board of El Heraldo Media Group; and María Cristina Mieres Zimmermann, vice president of Cultural and Social Development of the media group, attended the award ceremony. This award solidifies Yucatán's status as a leading gastronomic and tourist reference point in Mexico and beyond, and underscores its culinary legacy as a vital part of its cultural identity.