UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) has named the Overstrand municipal area, which includes Hermanus and its surrounding villages, as a Creative City of Gastronomy.
This is the first South African city to gain this particular status, while Durban was named South Africa’s first UNESCO City of Literature in 2017.
Cape Town became the first African city to hold the title of UNESCO City of Design the same year.
Hermanuspietersfontein Market, Photo by Rachel Robinson
These categories fall under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), which includes recognition for gastronomy, crafts and folk arts, design, film, literature, media arts, and music.
Hermanus now has a spot alongside international cities of Gastronomy like Parma in Italy, France’s Lyon, San Antonio in the USA, Phuket in Thailand and Bergen in Norway.
Ahead of the announcement, Carolyn Martin, co-owner of Creation Wines said that Hermanus offers much to see, with great attractions. ‘We have Whale Watching, great food and the Hermanus wine route with its spectacular beauty and diversity,’
Martin explained that in combining the dedication of local farmers with the highest quality standards, with the imaginative foraging of ingredients indigenous to the area: ‘We believe that Hermanus offers the finest, most varied and creative gastronomic experiences in the country’.
Featured image: Elise Kirsten
