Phetchaburi is set to host an international food festival in August aimed at strengthening its profile as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
The event, titled East Meets West at Phetchaburi, will take place on 21–22 August 2025 at Phetchaburi Rajabhat University and will feature a range of culinary activities designed to showcase the province’s food culture and promote sustainable tourism.
A planning meeting for the event was held on 25 June at the old provincial hall, chaired by Deputy Governor Wanphen Mangsri. The meeting brought together representatives from local government agencies and the private sector, as well as experts from national organisations including the Creative Economy Agency (CEA), the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the National Food Institute, and the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA).
Phetchaburi was officially designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in November 2021. Since then, local officials have worked to promote the province’s culinary heritage through a variety of initiatives.
As part of that effort, the upcoming food festival will bring together chefs from seven other UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy to perform live cooking demonstrations. Visitors will be able to watch the chefs at work and sample a variety of dishes from around the world.
In addition to the cooking showcases, the event will feature a youth chef competition to help inspire the next generation of culinary professionals. A knowledge-sharing forum on the role of creative cities in sustainable development is also planned, offering attendees the chance to exchange ideas and learn from other destinations.
Thirty food booths will be set up throughout the venue, offering a wide selection of international and local cuisine. Officials said the festival is designed to highlight Phetchaburi’s unique culinary identity, which draws on regional culture, premium ingredients, and a long history of food production.
Discussions during the planning meeting also focused on ways to ensure the festival supports local entrepreneurs and brings lasting benefits to residents.
Organisers say East Meets West at Phetchaburi will be a key event in promoting the province’s status as a destination for gastronomy-based tourism and in positioning Phetchaburi as a hub for international culinary collaboration.