Toni Nadal, renowned tennis coach and key figure in promoting Mallorcan sport internationally, has been awarded the 1st Sobrassada d’Or Award for Excellence, a distinction promoted by the Consell de Mallorca and the IGP Sobrassada de Mallorca to mark the 30th anniversary of this protected geographical indication.

Sobrassada d'or

Andreu Palou, Toni Nadal, Llorenç Galmés and Pilar Amate. Photo: Consell de Mallorca.

The institutional event, held at Can Tàpera, was presided over by Llorenç Galmés, president of the Consell de Mallorca, who personally presented the award to Toni Nadal. The prize was given “in recognition of a person who, through their work and career, represents the values of perseverance, excellence, commitment to quality, and connection to the land”.

Also in attendance were the councillor for Economic Promotion and Local Development, Pilar Amate; the president of the IGP Sobrassada de Mallorca Regulatory Council, Andreu Palou; the island director of Economic Promotion and Mallorcan Products, Álvaro Roca; as well as institutional representatives, agricultural organisations, quality labels, livestock farmers and producers.

During the event, Galmés emphasised that the celebration was a gesture of gratitude to the IGP Sobrassada de Mallorca and a tribute to individuals like Toni Nadal, “who, through their professional career, have taken the name of Mallorca to every corner of the world“.

The Sobrassada d’Or award exemplifies “the values of a sector closely linked to the land”

For her part, Pilar Amate stated that the Sobrassada d’Or award aims to exemplify “the values of a sector closely linked to the land, with perseverance and a strong commitment to product quality”. She also highlighted the work of the Regulatory Council in producing a sobrassada “of extraordinary quality“.

The day concluded with a gastronomic showcase by five chefs from the island: José Cortés, Miquel Serra, Kike Martí, Marga Brunet and Cati Pons, who created a menu with sobrassada as the star ingredient: coca de xeixa with DOP Oli de Mallorca, Mallorcan-style vegetables, cod with IGP Sobrassada de Mallorca; a rice dish with pork shoulder and IGP Porc Negre Sobrassada de Mallorca, and a sweet coca with Porreres apricots, IGP Sobrassada de Mallorca and chocolate sauce.