The National Bailliage of Tunisia and the local Bailliage of Trapani on the island of Sicily celebrate share gastronomic heritage.

The second edition of “Gusto Med” held in Trapani offered a vibrant celebration of the gastronomic and cultural ties between Tunisia and Italy. [Ed. Trapani is a historic port city on the sickle-shaped western coast of Sicily known for its stunning sea views, ancient salt pans, and seafood cuisine.]

Invited by the Bailliage of Trapani, a delegation from the Bailliage of Tunisia travelled to Sicily to participate in this Mediterranean culinary gathering, strengthening the relationship between the two Bailliages and opening new perspectives for future cooperation.

At the heart of the culinary exchange was garlic, a fundamental ingredient shared by the gastronomic traditions of both shores of the Mediterranean. The programme also highlighted the value of ancestral cooking methods and seasonal products, reaffirming their importance within the Mediterranean diet and their relevance to sustainable and authentic gastronomy.

The workshops highlighted the richness of Tunisian culinary heritage through the valorisation of harissa, presented in three emblematic preparations: Slata Blankit, Lablabi (the most popular street food in Tunisia) and Mselli. These dishes demonstrated how a traditional Tunisian condiment can be interpreted through different textures, preparations and culinary expressions while preserving its identity.

The exchange continued during the gala dinner, where Tunisian and Trapanese chefs joined forces for a true four-hands culinary experience. Among the creations presented was “Mithawma”. Gusto Med also offered an insight into local traditions and food heritage through visits to a garlic farm as well as a traditional workshop where women braid garlic for its preservation throughout the year. The programme also included a visit to the Trapani salt pans and to a local producer preserving ancestral cheese-making traditions.

Beyond the dishes themselves, Gusto Med created a space for culinary dialogue, transmission and cultural exchange, while highlighting the importance of culinary education and future cooperation between professionals and educational institutions in Tunisia and Sicily.

For the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, this initiative embodies the power of gastronomy to build bridges between cultures and territories. Tunisia and Sicily share a Mediterranean heritage shaped by centuries of exchange, reflected in their ingredients, traditions and culinary practices.

The second edition of Gusto Med also marked an important institutional milestone: the Bailli of Tunisia Mounir El Arem and the Bailli of Trapani Maurizio Messina formally signed a twinning agreement between their two Bailliages, laying the foundation for a lasting relationship and future exchanges around gastronomy, education, cultural heritage and sustainable tourism.

Two shores, different culinary identities, one shared Mediterranean heritage brought together around the same table.

Ferihane Karma
Chancelier