Popayan, Colombia--culinary oasis?

[johnb]

I recently learned that Popayan, Colombia is officially recognized by UNESCO as one of only nine "creative cities" in the world, and in its case it's based on its culinary heritage--all the others are for things like design, folk art, music, literature, etc. UNESCO calls it a "City of Gastronomy."

Interestingly, Bologna Italy, one of the great culinary destinations, is on the list for music, and Santa Fe is the only US city on the list, for folk art.

I admit I'd never heard of this place. Can anyone fill me/us in on what's really there? Is this an overlooked chowhound destination, or is that not the kind of thing it is? Maybe this is purely political?

[quimbaya]

Here's the UNESCO link for reference

http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/e...

[Sam Fujisaka]

You have to be kidding. We work around Popayan now and then (live in Cali). Largely a culinary wasteland.