The back of Santa Catalina Park has been transformed this weekend into the capital of Canarias for gourmet burgers, with 26 creations for the occasion competing for the title of best burger. Mostazza, from Tenerife, took the first prize, followed by Briochef from Madrid, and Ghios, also from Tenerife, with awards of 1,000 Euros, 300 Euros, and 150 Euros, respectively.
The success of the second edition of the Burger Fest Canarias Las Palmas, held from Friday to Sunday in the capital of Gran Canaria, has been overwhelming, with almost 20,000 attendees filling the Plaza de Canarias over the three days to enjoy seven craft beer companies and around twenty burger joints, some invited from Madrid and Barcelona after winning in their autonomous communities events.
A Pablo’s Burger fresh off the grill. / Juan Carlos Castro
The festival, which has been held in Tenerife since 2019, now consolidates its presence in Gran Canaria with this second edition in the capital, supported by the Ayuntamiento de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Attendees have praised the improved organization this year, with tables, shaded areas, and a varied music selection to accompany the gastronomic experience.
Good Music
As an example, the Serial Killerz, a dynamic duo from Barcelona with energetic drum beats and electronic rhythms, along with renowned DJs to liven up the evening like Juana La Cubana, Renzzo El Selector, Estro, Fano Sánchez, J. Rodríguez, MCR Selector, Sanfry, or Twinyi. Because having a gourmet burger for 12 or 15 Euros while listening to Joe Division is great, but enjoying aged meat, matured cheese, and a unique sauce is even better.
Carlos Yánez Marrero, however, favours not the Fuckin Bacon or La Manolita, but the London Brige, created in the kitchen of a venue in Mataró, after a trip to the capital of England for inspiration.
One of the cooks at Leo’s Burger Lanzarote in full swing. / Juan Carlos Castro
The London Brige is a creation of Double Biere, a restaurant in Mataró, Barcelona, which has secured the second and third best burger in Catalonia, explains Edgar Campos, who has been running the establishment for six years and is considering opening another one in the islands. He highlights the aged 45-day matured old cow, English cheddar, fig jam, and the Venezuelan roots of their entire team in the London Brige. “We really like Tenerife and Las Palmas,” he confesses.
International Flavours
Yánez and Pedrero appreciate the inclusion of international brands by the organisers to complement the local offerings, with established proposals like La Quícara or All or Nothing, also present at the Santa Catalina festival. They also positively assess the layout of the space, with shorter queues, although in the evening, during peak hours, with more than 4,500 people, waiting for two hours to eat at some stalls was unavoidable.
Sunday is the last day to enjoy the festival, from 14:00 to 22:00, with free entry and a fantastic replica of the original Ghostbusters car to create an atmosphere and immerse yourself in American fast food culture.
Among the stalls to visit, there is a selection of the best from the islands, with All or Nothing, Rockabilly, Caminando por el Mundo, Kaleta, Malditas Smashburgers, 200 gramos, La Chula, Madre Mía, La Chachi, Estarico, Mostazza, Viena 30, Leo’s Burguer, or the food truck Costumbres Argentinas, among others.
Highlighting el rincón Craft Beer, with Canarian craft beers Jaira, Tierra de Perros, Vagamundo, Agüita, Galotia, La Armada, or Ranilla, as well as others from around the world.
