New regional products festival 'Proef je Regio' at MECC Maastricht

Taste Your Region brings local flavours together on 5 October

On Sunday 5 October 2025, MECC Maastricht will host the first edition of regional products festival Proef je Regio. A new and free public event that introduces visitors to the pure flavours and stories of local and regional Limburg producers. An initiative of hospitality trade fair BBB Maastricht in cooperation with Regionaal Voedselsysteem Limburg (RVS-LB). The festival makes the connection between farmer, plate and experience. Its aim is to let visitors experience the authentic taste of local products. Visitors can discover the local producers present and their products. Inspiration can be gained at cooking demonstrations, a wine tasting and various stage presentations. All under the theme of Limburg regional products.

The new festival Proef je Regio shows that regional products are tasty, honest and accessible to everyone. It proudly promotes the culinary heritage of South Limburg and its surroundings. From experienced foodie to lover of good food, the festival is worth a visit for everyone. Visitors can awaken their senses at the atmospheric regional produce market where some 25 Limburg producers, under the banner of Regionaal Voedselsysteem Limburg (RVS-LB), will present and taste authentic products. You can also enjoy live cooking demonstrations with regional products or join a wine tasting provided by Stichting BOB Mergelland. Wines with a PDO seal of approval guarantee 100% locally grown grapes and production in the same area. Taste Your Region dovetails seamlessly with regional initiatives such as Cittaslow and Blue Zones, both of which have been embraced as regional healthy lifestyle ambitions.

The festival will take place at Folie Culinaire, part of hospitality trade fair BBB Maastricht. Whereas on other days the fair is aimed exclusively at catering professionals, Folie Culinaire will open its doors to the general public one day earlier on Sunday 5 October. In doing so, BBB Maastricht underlines the importance of raising awareness about local food. Visitors will thus have the chance to personally get to know the people and stories behind home-grown products. Co-organiser Silvie Slachter - Fair Manager BBB Maastricht says: "We want to make visitors aware of the benefits of local products. It is a low-threshold way to introduce residents of Limburg and the surrounding area to the versatility of our beautiful province. Healthy enjoyment from our own region: that's where it starts." 

Regional heroes on stage
Two award ceremonies will take place on the Streekheldenpodium during the festival. The LIOF Rabo Award for the most innovative regional product or producer recognises quality, craftsmanship and passion for the region. In addition, the title Gastronomic Ambassador is awarded to someone who commits to Dutch gastronomy in a special way. In 2024, this award went to Werner Loens, former MICHELIN inspector, in honour of his long-standing contribution to culinary quality.

Proef je Regio will take place on Sunday 5 October 2025 at MECC Maastricht. The event will be open from 12:00h to 16:00h. Admission is free. More information can be found on the website www.proefjeregio.nl.