Catalonia unfolds its culinary potential at the Osaka World Expo with a week full of flavour and identity

From 27 May to 1 June 2025 Catalonia takes centre stage with Catalan Week at the Osaka World Expo , with a set of activities organised by Prodeca to showcase the richness and distinctiveness of its cuisine. With a market as demanding and important as Japan as the setting, the activities aim to position Catalonia as an international culinary benchmark, building on the momentum of its recognition as World Region of Gastronomy 2025.

The programme includes cooking workshops, wine tastings, influencer activities and an official institutional reception. One of the week's highlights is the pa amb tomàquet workshops led by renowned chef Josep Barahona, who has lived in Japan for more than 35 years. In two sessions a day Barahona shows attendees the secrets of this iconic Catalan dish, highlighting the quality of the bread, the ripeness of the tomato, the extra virgin olive oil and accompaniments such as cured meats, preserves, cheeses and even chocolate — all from Catalan companies already active in the Japanese market.

In parallel, sommelier and importer Òscar Salmerón is giving masterclasses on Catalan wines, also twice a day. The special VIP sessions are for high-level guests such as international journalists and institutional representatives. The aim is to champion the diversity and quality of Catalonia's 12 designations of origin and consolidate recognition of cava and other wines as prestige products.

A highlight will be the special combined pa amb tomàquet and wine workshop featuringEmika Kamieda, a Japanese actress and influencer who loves Catalan cuisine. The activity will be filmed to create engaging digital content, with particular emphasis on the simplicity and authenticity of pa amb tomàquet, pairing with Catalan wines and the Mediterranean identity of Catalan cooking. The content will be shared on Emika's social platforms, including TikTok and Instagram, to reach new audiences and strengthen the Catalan Food brand's digital presence.

With this activity Catalonia shows Japan not only products but culture, territory and a way of understanding food that combines tradition and innovation. From pa amb tomàquet to the haute cuisine that changed world cooking, Catalonia reaffirms its ambition to lead on the global culinary stage.