SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 15th March (EUROPA PRESS) –
Renowned Chef Diego Schattenhofer, from the esteemed 1973 Taste restaurant situated in the Hotel Villa Cortés (Playa de las Américas, Arona), has unveiled his groundbreaking edible and emotional fragrances at the Cabildo de Tenerife – one inspired by the pine forests and another from the midlands of the island, positioning Tenerife cuisine at the forefront of national and international gastronomy.
These natural and biodegradable scents, introduced by the chef at the latest Madrid Fusión event, are the fruit of a collaboration with the European company Scentmate by dsm-firmenich, showcasing the potential of these aromas to evoke emotions.
Vice President and Minister of Tourism, Lope Afonso, remarked that Tenerife is “a well-experienced destination in welcoming tourists, evolving towards specialization and sustainability.” “It must encompass all aspects of the tourism industry and all environments across the island,” he added.
“Intertwining the perfume, tourism, and gastronomy sectors is yet another demonstration of how Tenerife can progress resolutely towards excellence. We aim to consistently stand out in the market and continue to have our accomplishments and professionals recognised,” Afonso stated.
Tenerife’s Tourism CEO, Dimple Melwani, declared that emotions continue to be stirred from Tenerife: “We boast exceptional professional talent on the island and a strong commitment from all sectors of the tourism industry. This initiative is both unique and pioneering, not just for the island but for the world at large. All that arouses excitement always remains in our hearts. We are steadfast in promoting our local innovations and forging ahead on this path.”
Chef Diego Schattenhofer emphasised that they have formed a collaborative team to further showcase the island’s richness, championing Tenerife and its culinary delights. Moreover, he expressed being “thrilled, delighted, and exhilarated” by their creation, describing it as “truly unparalleled,” he shared.
Deputy Director of Europe Hotels International, Arianna Gassman Gervasi, highlighted their shared mission of creating lasting memories and emotions: “This is an extraordinary project, brimming with value and passion. We have successfully evoked direct memories through scent, leading to emotional connections and lasting impressions. It is imperative for companies to continue investing in and supporting the destination.”
General Director of Scentmate by dsm-firmenich, Alfonso Álvarez-Prieto, underscored that this is “a narrative that sets Tenerife and this concept apart.” “Tenerife is a unique island that triggers emotions. Scent is the sole sense directly linked to the brain. Emotions, memories, and scents coexist harmoniously, where we unite everything on Tenerife. We are immensely proud to have collaborated on this project and are committed to its continuance,” he added.
EXPERIENCE A FEAST FOR YOUR SENSE OF SMELL
Building on Schattenhofer’s concept of ‘eating with scent’ and following extensive collaboration with his Gastrosinapsis team comprising biologists, neurologists, and historians, Scentmate’s Emotions technology has effectively mapped the island through scent, taste, and emotion.
The fragrance of the Tenerife pine forest is distinguished by its crisp aroma and the resinous hints of the pine needles from Tenerife’s woodlands. The second fragrance encapsulates the island’s midlands in an essence that encapsulates the aromatic diversity of Tenerife’s wildlife. Further edible fragrances in the pipeline include those inspired by Tenerife’s beaches, ponds, and sauces.
Emotions represent a natural fragrance technology that, as per Scentmate, can evoke specific feelings. Participants in a consumer study associated fragrances with feelings of particular emotions using fMRI testing that gauges brain activity and identifies changes linked to blood flow.
The study analysed participants’ brain activation patterns while they were exposed to scents spanning various emotional categories. Consequently, the implicit emotional responses to scents were evaluated based on this resonance, alongside a subsequent explicit verbal scale. The results indicated that exposure to fragrances elicited emotions such as energy, happiness, or relaxation.
DISCOVER DIEGO SCHATTENHOFER
An Argentine native, Diego has resided in the Canary Islands for two decades. In Spain, he has collaborated with culinary luminaries such as Martín Berasategui, Francis Paniego, Juan Pablo de Felipe, and Paco Pérez. Since 2005 and to date, he has participated as a speaker at Madrid Fusión, San Sebastian Gastronomika, and various other culinary congresses.
At Madrid Fusión 2011, his interdisciplinary team Astrochefs clinched the Best Technological Innovation Award for their ‘Flying Tapas’ and also received accolades at the Flemish Primitives in Belgium. As the creator of the interdisciplinary team Gastrosinapsis in Tenerife (comprising researchers from several Spanish and European universities), he focuses on seeking scientific solutions for gastronomy and exploring the dietary history of the Guanche indigenous people.
He serves as the executive chef at Hoteles Europa and as the chef at Taste 1973 and OA Beach Club, both at the Hotel Villa Cortés. In 2023, he earned his inaugural Michelin Star and the first Repsol Sun.
