The City Council of La Laguna, through the Department of Tourism and Commerce, in collaboration with the business association La Laguna Zona Comercial (LLZC), has recently announced the recipients of awards for the Tapa Route through La Laguna – San Benito Abad 2024. The Commerce Mayor, Estefanía Díaz, along with the president of LLZC, Iván Pérez, visited each of the awarded restaurants to present these special and eagerly awaited recognitions. This year, the honours went to Lagula (Gold Top), Gulagú (Silver Top), and Maquila Restaurant (Bronze Top).
Over 7,000 individuals cast their votes via the La Laguna Commercial Zone Business Association (LLZC) app. This level of public participation has notably surged in this sixteenth edition of the Tapa Route compared to the previous year.
Estefanía Díaz, the Commerce Mayor, expressed her congratulations and gratitude to all participants for their engagement in this 2024 edition. She highlighted that “the effort, creativity, and commitment of the restaurants have enabled us to remain a gastronomic landmark on the Canary Islands map.” According to Díaz, gastronomy is vital for promoting the municipality, stating that “this event allows us to showcase a cuisine that, despite its ongoing innovation and the development of new concepts, retains the essence of our heritage, preserving the authenticity of traditional Canarian cuisine and products.”
Additionally, Díaz praised “the utilisation of local ingredients in crafting the tapas, paying homage to our ranchers, farmers, and fishermen, who form the backbone of the culinary prosperity we present. These products not only ensure quality but also contribute to sustainability and bolster the circular economy within the municipality.” The municipal official concluded by emphasising the collaborative effort between public and private sectors, “a cooperative model that undoubtedly benefits local businesses, which we shall continue to endorse.”
According to the president of FAUCA, Abbas Moujir, this gastronomic event has firmly established itself as one of the most significant for the restaurant industry in the city, playing a critical role in promoting and showcasing local cuisine. Moujir wrapped up by mentioning that “the La Laguna Open Commercial Zone has evolved into a standard-bearer, illustrating the success and advantages of effective collaboration between public and private sectors.”
“It is always a delight to present the awards and witness the enthusiasm of the winning establishments,” remarked Iván Pérez, president of LLZC. “Their commitment year after year to this initiative, elevating the standards of tapas, is crucial.” “Without their participation, this event would not be feasible,” he added.
In this 2024 edition, nearly 160,000 tapas were sold, which, at the fixed price of 4 euros each, represents a substantial total of approximately 640,000 euros that have served as an economic boost for the businesses involved in this initiative, which took place in July.
