About us
A public union that brings Azerbaijan’s food service industry together under one voice.
Who we are
The Public Catering and Gastronomy Association (İİQA) is a non-profit public union that brings together restaurants, cafés, bars and other food service businesses in Azerbaijan.
The idea for the Association was born in the Restaurant Management Club, a community where industry leaders come together. Hundreds of business owners supported the idea at the forum in August 2026, and the Association was founded in September.
We do not replace existing institutions; we stand alongside them. We are a professional voice that works with government bodies, not against them.
Vision
To turn Azerbaijan’s food service and gastronomy industry into a globally competitive ecosystem by systematising, standardising and branding it.
Mission
To unite the industry’s businesses on a single platform, represent their rights and interests, raise professionalism and service quality, and introduce Azerbaijani cuisine to the world.
We see this path in three stages
Stage 1
Systematisation
Common service standards, training and certification.
Stage 2
Branding
Making quality visible, star rating, turning national cuisine into a brand.
Stage 3
Export
Taking local brands and Azerbaijani cuisine to foreign markets.
Our values
One voice
Every member is heard, from a small café to a large chain.
Professionalism
We base our positions on facts and the real needs of the industry.
Transparency
Members receive reports on our work and on how funds are used.
Neutrality
Partners gain visibility, but they do not influence the Association’s decisions.
A tradition of hospitality
Azerbaijani hospitality is not a new industry: it is a craft that has continued from the caravanserais to the present day.
What we do
We research the industry’s problems and make proposals to government bodies.
We represent members’ common interests before government, private and international organisations.
We organise training, awareness-raising and vocational education.
We support the development of national cuisine and gastronomic tourism.
We hold forums, conferences, competitions and seminars.
We prepare research and reports on the industry.
Our history
14 August 2026
Public Catering and Gastronomy Forum, Four Seasons Hotel Baku: 231 participants, 150 company executives and business owners. A tripartite memorandum of understanding was signed between İİQA, Clopos and Bir Ekosistem.
23 September 2026
The Association was founded at a meeting of the initiative group, and the Board was elected.
21 October 2026
Registration documents were submitted to the Ministry of Justice.
After registration
Official membership intake opens.