SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 30 September (EUROPA PRESS) –
Tenerife will once again feature at the ‘San Sebastián Gastronomika’ congress as an official sponsor, taking place from 7 to 9 October at the Kursaal Palace in San Sebastián. With an ambitious agenda, the island will showcase three of its numerous facets: the Sea Island, the Soul Island and the Exotic Island.
The highlight of Tenerife at ‘Gastronomika 24’, a gathering for journalists, businesspeople, and international influencers in the sector, will be its impressive 200 square metre stand-restaurant, the Wine Tunnel, along with the sponsorship and involvement in the ‘I Forum of Taverns and Taberneros’. There will also be a spectacular presentation by the Padrón Brothers in the Auditorium, a Grand Professional Tasting featuring their most exquisite wines, a significant role in the Grand Opening Dinner, and participation in the final of the National Fish Soup Competition alongside chef Víctor Suárez.
At a press conference on Monday, the Vice President and Minister of Tourism, Lope Afonso, remarked on their return to ‘San Sebastián Gastronomika’ to showcase the strength and value that Tenerife’s gastronomy has attained. He noted that the synergy proven successful between tourism and the local primary sector, combined with the island’s gastronomic offerings, is a key message.
Afonso mentioned that up to 30% of visitors have sampled local cuisine, making it a significant draw for Tenerife as a tourism destination. “With all this, we continue to enhance the island’s position at the forefront,” he stated.
Concerning the wines and distinctive products that will be highlighted at the congress, Valentín González, the Primary Sector advisor, commented that the gastronomy experience being offered to visitors is “more comprehensive and unique”.
“We possess distinctive products and exceptional culinary professionals, who will serve as our esteemed representatives at San Sebastián Gastronomika. Attendees will have the opportunity to savour our superb wines from Tenerife, island honeys, native breed meats, cheeses, gofios, and mojos, among others,” he pointed out.
Dimple Melwani, the CEO of Tenerife Tourism, expressed enthusiasm about their participation in ‘San Sebastián Gastronomika’ with a unique product and a comprehensive value chain of professionals. The programme will span three days in a 200 square metre stand-restaurant along with the adjoining Wine Tunnel. “This represents significant promotion for the Tenerife destination,” she affirmed.
The thematic structure of the stand’s programming will commence each day with a workshop-tasting of ‘barraquitos’. Each day during the congress will be dedicated to a different emotion, depicted via audiovisual synchronisation on large screens: ‘Island of Sea; blue fish, rock fish, and deep-sea shellfish, showcasing the abundance of our Atlantic’, alongside workshops for tuna, seafood and fish, and native marine traditions; ‘Island with Soul; where products of the midlands emerge’, presenting a workshop focused on understanding and tasting gofio, a master class featuring award-winning Tenerife cheeses, and an interactive session for making the island’s renowned fresh cheese and the prosperous interactive mojos workshop; and ‘Exotic Island; volcano, tropical and trade winds, a refuge of diversity through time’, spotlighting a workshop on bananas, their various types and culinary applications, as well as a session on tropical crops.
Each day, a lunch will be prepared at the stand for 30 attendees, crafted by celebrated chefs such as Diego Schattenhofer, Alberto Margallo, or Juan Carlos Clemente.
Furthermore, there will be guided tastings of Tenerife’s exquisite wines, followed by cocktail hours featuring contemporary mixology.
All breads served will be provided by Mario Torres, while desserts will be prepared by Jesús Camacho.
MICHELIN STARS OF TENERIFE AT GASTRONOMIKA ’24
As with previous years, the Michelin Stars of Tenerife will shine brightly at the congress.
Firstly, with the remarkable presentation by Juan Carlos and Jonathan Padrón, holders of three stars in total, who will unveil their latest creations in the large Auditorium (Wednesday, at 11:40 a.m.).
Secondly, Víctor Suárez, chef at Haydée, recognised with a Michelin star, will feature as a finalist, alongside notable national chefs, in the First National Fish Soup Competition (Tuesday, at 10:00 a.m. on the Kursaal Terrace).
A standout addition this year at ‘San Sebastián Gastronomika’ is the ‘I Forum of Taverns and Taberneros’, bringing together its most prominent representatives, including a multitude of Michelin stars. They will engage in discussions (and tastings) about a culinary format that is currently trending across the nation.
Based on its traditions, including the famed guachinches, Tenerife will participate in presentations (Monday and Tuesday) titled ‘Wine Taverns, the Sommelier in the Tavern’ and ‘Tavern Tourism’, in addition to offering tastings of local products and culinary preparations.
Throughout all three days, national and international professionals attending the congress will have the opportunity to explore Tenerife’s wines with guidance from sommeliers and oenologists representing various regulatory councils, within the Wine Tunnel connected to the stand, all set in a designed space with a bar and tables.
Lastly, on Monday at 4:30 p.m. in Room 10, the Grand Tasting of Tenerife Wines will take place, featuring six exceptional wines from the island’s six DOs, supported by the regulatory councils.
