The Commerce Department of La Orotava City Council, led by Deisy Ramos, aims to position the town as one of the most innovative in promoting its culinary and dining offerings. This is highlighted by the introduction of a unique initiative called ‘My barraquito your zaperoco’. For the first time in the Canary Islands, a competition is being organised that showcases these sweet coffee drinks, which are immensely popular in Tenerife, despite a similar event being held exclusively for barraquitos in the municipality of Santiago del Teide.
All cafés and eateries in the town are eligible to take part in this new competition from September 15 to October 15. Customers wishing to participate and savour the route can vote for their favourite creation in each category, thus entering a draw.
The primary aim of this initiative is to invigorate and elevate the restaurant sector in La Orotava. “This will act as a showcase for businesses in the industry, enabling them to attract more clientele. Therefore, we are optimistic that it will yield a notable economic benefit,” commented the councillor.
The town’s mayor, Francisco Linares, emphasised the tourism appeal La Orotava possesses, which is further enhanced by such promotional offers and campaigns aimed at both locals and visitors. He asserted that “we are confident this route-competition will be highly advantageous, as barraquitos and zaperocos are hallmark products of Canarian gastronomy, particularly in Tenerife, and more specifically in the northern region.” These unique beverages have gained an exceptional level of refinement and variety in their ingredient selection, making them distinctive compared to counterparts found across the national territory, “thus, it will undoubtedly attract more visitors to the participating venues, contributing to the growth of the local economy,” he added.
The competition guidelines stipulate that all cafes and establishments operating in La Orotava may participate, with the City Council verifying their opening licenses or prior notifications of activity commencement. Interested establishments must complete and submit the standard application form available on the municipal website, along with a responsible declaration, to the email address rutadelbarraquitolaorotava@gmail.com. The deadline for registration is August 31 at 11:00 p.m.
Cafés may determine the price of the barraquito, capped at a maximum of 2.50 euros, and they may also choose to offer a sweet or pastry item in conjunction if they wish. The organisation will supply placemats and coasters to identify the participants. Three prizes will be awarded, distinguished by category, as outlined in the rules.
Voting will be conducted via an on-line webapp. This system is geolocated and will provide details about the route, as well as a list of participating establishments, including a photograph of the barraquito, title, description, ingredients, establishment name, and contact details. Customers who vote for the barraquitos and the zaperocos using this system will have the chance to enter a draw for a one-night stay at the Parador del Parque Nacional del Teide for two people, with breakfast or lunch included. To cast a vote, customers must do so at the establishment using the QR code on the placemat or coaster. The competition rules state that to be eligible for the draw, one must have consumed at least half of the participating establishments. Additionally, customers must verify their identity on a digital platform, such as Facebook or Gmail, allowing the system to recognise them without requiring additional registration for subsequent votes.
