TEHRAN -- Lorestan Province was named the winner of the best booth at Iran’s 19th National Ash and Traditional Food Festival in Nir, while chefs from Urmia, Zanjan, Semnan, Khorasan Razavi and Ardabil took the top prizes in the festival’s food and ash-making competitions.
The three-day national cultural and tourism event, held from Sept. 9 to 11 in the Bolaghlar tourism area of Nir County in Ardabil Province, brought together 80 booths representing 15 provinces, according to Yahya Najar Ghabel, deputy director for tourism at the Ardabil Province Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts.
The cooking competition was held on the third day of the festival. In the food category, Layla Babaei of Urmia took first place, followed by Sara Ayoubi of Zanjan and Molihe Sayyad-Touri of Semnan.
In the ash category, Seyyed Ahmad Kazemi of Gonabad in Razavi Khorasan Province won first place with Ash-e Lakhshak. Rashideh Muhammadi of Zanjan took second place with Ash-e Torsh, while Zhila Asadian of Ardabil placed third with Ash-e Reshteh.
The booths were also assessed by judges on the quality of their presentation, layout and services. The booth operated by Rezvan Sepahvand of Lorestan was selected as the festival’s best.
The festival featured traditional dishes and ash from across Iran, as well as handicrafts, local products and cultural performances. Among the foods presented were Ash-e Reshteh, Ash-e Doogh, Tabrizi
 meatballs, Khalkhal black halva, apple-cinnamon cake, raisin rice, Shesh-Andaz, Ash-e Omaaj, breakfast cake and pumpkin with lentils and walnuts.
The event also featured Azerbaijani traditional music, tribal and local ceremonies, a competition for the best traditional ash and a handicrafts exhibition. Iranian media have described the annual festival as one of the major tourism and ethnographic events in northwestern Iran.
Masoud Emami Yeganeh, governor-general of Ardabil Province, said cultural and tourism festivals can contribute to social vitality, attract investment, showcase local capabilities and strengthen national cohesion.
He said the strong turnout of travelers and tourists demonstrated Nir’s potential for economic development and represented an opportunity for tourism investment, adding that the provincial authorities would support investors in the sector.
Nir, located about 27 kilometers south of Ardabil on the Ardabil-Sarab transit route, is a summer destination known for its natural landscapes and proximity to Mount Sabalan. The Bolaghlar recreation area covers more than 270 hectares and features several springs and other natural attractions.
The festival was organized as part of efforts to promote Nir’s tourism potential, local customs and traditions, handicrafts and regional cuisine. Earlier reports said the 2026 edition was scheduled for Sept. 9–11, with chefs from 15 provinces participating.