The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Directorate for Support to the Investment and Competitiveness, signed this week a cooperation protocol with the Azores Tourism and Hotel Training Association for the development of various initiatives to promote the use of regional products in the Azorean catering sector.

This project aims to enhance and disseminate the use of regional products in the regional catering sector by promoting good practices and techniques.

In this context, several training courses will be taught by professionals of national and international reference, who will be presenting new techniques and trends as well as the necessary adaptations to the use of regional products so that may be enhanced and promoted by regional restaurants. Moreover, various seminars and workshops will be held under this protocol as well as the development of other initiatives amongst the population in order to improve the quality of Azorean products, promoting its consumption as well as the regional catering sector.

This cooperative action is also based on the fact that the Azores have exceptional conditions for producing high quality and quasi-ecological goods, most of which are recognised by Community legislation.
In addition, the Azorean cuisine is rich and diverse among various islands and, for that reason, it is necessary to diversify and intensify the use of local products, which will contribute to improving the quality and competitiveness of Azores tourism product.
 
In order to develop this project, the Azores Tourism and Hotel Training will establish partnerships with national and international professional entities.