Gia Natsvlishvili, sitting in a restaurant in Georgia's capital Tbilisi, said his country's unique cuisine could easily conquer international markets, since it was largely unknown to the outside world.
"Foreigners who come to Georgia often say our cuisine is one of the best in the world. There are marvelous dishes in Georgia that are almost unknown in other countries," Natsvlishvili said as he tucked into a feast of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, roasted pork and khinkali meat dumplings.
"Georgian food is a great culinary discovery the world has yet to make," the 29-year-old Tbilisi resident said.
That may be about to change, however, as this small, mountainous ex-Soviet republic takes steps to boost the presence of its cuisine and agricultural products -- like succulent Colchis lamb and juicy pink Choporti tomatoes -- on international markets.
Inspired by the European Union's system of labelling and protecting regional foods, which recently awarded a special designation to Neapolitan pizza and guarantees the authenticity of many French cheeses and Champagne, Georgian officials are planning to trademark a wide range of national dishes and products.
"We plan to trademark our appellations according to their geographical origin, first at the national and then at international levels," said Georgia's patent office chief, Irakli Gvaladze.
"Georgia has exceptional agricultural breeds, organic products and distinctive cuisine and we are increasing efforts to tighten their quality control and promote them on international markets," he said.