With the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, in cooperation with Caucasus University and the Basque Culinary Center, the construction of the Caucasus University Academy of Gastronomy has begun in Gurjaani.

On May 28, a symbolic capsule laying ceremony was held at the construction site. The event was opened by the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia - Mikheil Chkhenkeli. The Minister addressed the audience and spoke about the importance of establishing international educational centers in Georgia to increase access to vocational education.

Dr. Kakha Shengelia, President of Caucasus University, also spoke at the ceremony. He spoke about the importance and perspectives of the Academy of Gastronomy, which will help not only train qualified personnel in this field, but also develop gastronomic tourism in the country and raise world awareness about Georgian cuisine.

Participants at the event were: Mariam Kvrivishvili, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia; Giorgi Amilakhvari, Chairman of the Education and Science Committee of the Parliament of Georgia; Davit Songhulashvili, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Sectoral Economics and Economic Policy and Majoritarian MP of Gurjaani, Sighnaghi, Dedoplistskaro and Sagarejo; Andoni Ortuzar, President of the Basque Nationalist Party of the Kingdom of Spain; Idoia Calleja, Director of Master Programs at the Basque Culinary Center; Tamar Kitiashvili, Director General at Skills Agency of Georgia.

Other attendees at the event were: Tamar Makharashvili, First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia; Deputies Nunu Mitskevich and Valerian Gobronidze; Ilia Giorgadze, Ambassador of Georgia to the Kingdom of Spain; Levan Sukhitashvili, Head of the Educational and Scientific Infrastructure Development Agency and representatives of local authorities.

During the event, a letter was signed about the construction of Caucasus University Academy of Gastronomy, which was later placed in the capsule. At the end of the ceremony, the participants planted a tree donated by Basque colleagues on the territory of the academy.

Caucasus University Academy of Gastronomy will accept first students in 2024. The project envisages building a campus for 50 students, a gym and a recreational area. The academy will offer students international vocational education programs of international standard, where foreign students will study together with Georgian youth.

Caucasus University Academy of Gastronomy will significantly contribute to the development of gastronomic tourism in the country, and make a significant contribution to the economic development of the Kakheti region and Georgia in general.

It should be noted that the Basque Culinary Center is one of the best gastronomic schools in the world. The programs at the training center are implemented by the world's leading specialists. Students from different countries at the center receive their education and after graduation successfully work in the global arena in the field of gastronomy.