Palma will become the culinary epicentre of Spain on 11 November with the celebration of the 11th National Gastronomy Championship, to be held at the Escola d’Hoteleria de les Illes Balears. The event, organised by ASCAIB (Association of Chefs and Pastry Chefs Based in the Balearic Islands) and FACYRE (Federation of Associations of Chefs and Pastry Chefs of Spain), managed by Aplus Gastromarketing, aims to promote the culinary diversity of our country while serving as a launchpad for discovering and promoting young chefs and pastry chefs.
ASCAIB president, Koldo Royo (centre), alongside Palma’s mayor, Jaime Martínez Llabrés (second from right), during the presentation of the 11th National Gastronomy Championship. Photo: Aplus Gastromarketing.
Creativity and Talent
In its eleventh edition, the championship will bring together eleven teams that will showcase their creativity, talent, and passion for gastronomy, positioning Palma de Mallorca as a national culinary benchmark.
The participating regions in the categories of cuisine and pastry are: Aragón, Paradores Chefs Association, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castile and León, La Rioja, and Madrid. Catalonia will compete only in pastry, while Extremadura will participate with two teams: Atugaba (cuisine) and Aparex (pastry).
The judging panels – technical and tasting – will assess aspects such as flavour, presentation, originality, sustainability, and professionalism.
A National Gastronomy Championship Open to the Public
The championship will be open to the public, with the aim of encouraging citizen participation.
Throughout the day, renowned professionals such as Nino Redruello, Miquel Serra, and Miguel Vergara will offer showcookings demonstrating step by step how to prepare a selection of dishes. In addition, visitors will be able to enjoy workshops, talks, tastings, and food trucks, as well as a barbecue and rice dishes throughout the day.
The entertainment side will feature comedian Rubén García and the band Ossifar, bringing humour and music to a day designed for everyone to enjoy.
Special ONCE Lottery Ticket
Image of the special lottery ticket that ONCE will dedicate to the event on 11 November. Photo: Aplus Gastromarketing.
To mark the occasion, ONCE will dedicate a special lottery ticket to the championship on 11 November. The ONCE delegate in the Balearic Islands, José Antonio Toledo Doña, expressed his gratitude to the Palma City Council and ASCAIB, stating that “for ONCE it is an honour to join this initiative, especially on the day of the Once del Once draw”, recognising the gastronomic talent of the islands.
Institutional Support
The presentation of the championship at the Palma City Council was attended by Mayor Jaime Martínez Llabrés, who highlighted that “through this championship, local produce will be consolidated, showcasing a cuisine that combines tradition and innovation”. He also underlined that it serves as “a platform that fosters talent, showcases creativity, and strengthens our identity in gastronomy and culture”.
For his part, ASCAIB president Koldo Royo stressed “the significance of this event as an opportunity to continue promoting culinary excellence, young talent, and innovation in professional cuisine and pastry”. He also wished to highlight the solidarity of ASCAIB members, honoured through ONCE’s special lottery ticket.
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