Agen Food and Gastronomy Festival

A festival born from territorial ambition

The Agen Food and Gastronomy Festival was launched in July 2021 under the name "What are we eating?", with the subtitle Tomorrow's Food and Gastronomy Festival. Under the high patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture, it was initiated by the City and the Agglomeration of Agen in partnership with the Institute of Positive Economy (chaired by Jacques Attali's Positive Planet Foundation) and the international network Chefs4thePlanet, founded by Sébastien Ripari and Anne Le More. The objective: to create a territorial dynamic around gastronomy by raising public awareness of current and future agricultural, food, health, and environmental issues, while promoting local gastronomy and celebrating the professional know-how of the sector.

Three spaces for a complete experience

The festival transforms the Esplanade du Gravier, in the heart of Agen, into a true gastronomic village structured around three universes:

• Sales and Tasting Space: more than twenty exhibitors, local producers, and associations committed to an ethical and responsible approach present their 100% regional products through events and tastings.
• Gourmet Market Space: food trucks, crêperies, ice cream parlors, magret stands, artisanal burgers, local wines, and beers offer a varied catering selection in a "guinguette" atmosphere with musical entertainment.
• Demonstration and Meeting Space: show-cooking with renowned chefs, culinary workshops for children and adults, conferences, and round tables with professionals from the agri-food sector.

Renowned chefs in attendance

Since its creation, the festival has hosted over twenty established chefs from the Southwest and beyond. Among the participants in previous editions: Michel Trama (double Michelin-starred in Puymirol), Éric Mariottat, Michel Dussau, Benjamin Toursel, Bernard Bach, Michel and Louis Chabran, as well as chefs Carrade, Gallienne, Amal, and Nardy. These live culinary demonstrations allow the public to discover the techniques and local products of Lot-et-Garonne.

From "What are we eating?" to "Agen Gourmand"

After the success of the first edition in 2021, the festival evolved to become "Agen Gourmand, Tous à table!" starting in 2022. The concept aimed to be more festive, convivial, and popular, with a gourmet village on the Gravier offering highlights between the inhabitants of the Agen Agglomeration and the producers of Lot-et-Garonne. In 2023, the festival notably hosted a stage of the French Barbecue Championship, adding a competitive and spectacular dimension to the event.

Conferences and citizen engagement

Beyond the pleasure of eating, the festival offers a reflective component around three main themes:

• Eating better: food education, nutrition, short supply chains, and sustainable agriculture.
• Reconnecting with the agricultural world: understanding the production chain, valuing the farmer's profession, and sustainable methods.
• The new era of food and gastronomy: culinary innovations, gastronomic trends, and the challenges of tomorrow's food.

These conferences and round tables bring together political decision-makers, scientists, business leaders, and committed personalities to discuss the future of food.

An event rooted in the Southwest terroir

Under the banner #AgenLeMeilleurDuSudOuest, the festival highlights the agricultural and gastronomic richness of Lot-et-Garonne, a department known for its Agen prunes, tomatoes, strawberries, hazelnuts, and regional cuisine. The event is part of the City of Agen's commitment to making gastronomy a major axis of its identity and tourist appeal.