Consolidated professionals and new proposals and products from the island will represent the destination at the international congress, from January 29 to 31
“Where it all begins” is the motto of the twenty-second edition of Madrid Fusion Foods of Spain, the international gastronomic event that brings together the most prestigious professionals and brands in the sector. The same one that Gran Canaria joins to show that its territory is what marks the gastronomy it offers.
About twenty established professionals and new proposals and local products that until now had not been exhibited at the gastronomic event held from January 29 to 31 in Ifema, Madrid, will be in charge of representing the island in the twenty-second edition of this fair. Thus, the Tourism Minister of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Carlos Álamo, highlights the importance of Gran Canaria's attendance at Madrid Fusión, which has been attending uninterruptedly since 2018. “We are very excited about our participation in the congress because it is a great showcase and because gastronomy has become a very important virtue for the island. It is a very powerful channel to better distribute the wealth generated by the tourism industry, throughout the 21 municipalities, reaching sectors that did not do so before,” explains the Tourism Councilor of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria.
Established restaurants participating in Madrid Fusion, such as Tabaiba (1 Michelin Star and 1 Repsol Sun); Bevir (which recently received its first Michelin Guide Star and 1 Repsol Sun); Muxgo (1 Michelin Green Star and 1 Repsol Sun, opening a new location in the Hotel Santa Catalina); Nelson (1 Repsol Sun); La Aquarela (1 Michelin Star and 2 Repsol Suns); Qué Leche (Michelin Guide Recommended and 1 Repsol Sun); Anteo and Borneo ( which recently reopened in the capital of Gran Canaria), will showcase their gastronomic concepts and the excellence of their dining rooms, serving as flagships for the promotion of tourism in the destination.
Nelson Pérez (Nelson restaurant) and Jenisse Ferrari (Qué Leche!) restaurant are two veterans of this gastronomic event. Nelson, who has participated in almost all the editions that Gran Canaria has attended, assures that the congress is going, more than to promote each one's business, the island, its cuisine and its products are going to be promoted." Jenisse, who is also a repeat participant, points out that “it is always a responsibility to go to Madrid Fusión to demonstrate what all the professionals on the island are capable of and it is very gratifying that each time we see the institutions most involved in gastronomy.”
The restaurant staff will also be involved in pairing the dishes with wines, spirits, and liqueurs from the island, guided by sommeliers Nikola Ivicic ( La Aquarela ), Airam Ramírez ( Bevir ), Sara González ( La Garnacha de Sara ), Patricia González (La Cava de Piñero), Patricia Yrisarri ( Vinófilos ), Chaxiraxi Triana ( Canary Wine ), Diego Tornel ( Paradisus Gran Canaria by Meliá ), and Esteban García ( Pikza ). This will also serve to promote the island's wineries and other beverages.
Yrisarri, who will represent the island as a sommelier for the first time, comments that he faces “this opportunity with enthusiasm and with the responsibility of continuing to publicize the wines and wineries of the island, which are increasingly positioned, and which deserve to continue growing". Sommelier Diego Tornel, for his part, comments that he believes that “the participation of front-of-house professionals in Madrid Fusión is a great opportunity because it gives a lot of visibility, not only to the kitchen, but also to the restaurant dining room.”
In addition, the restaurants Casa Romántica , Origen Steak House, El Santo , and El Caserón del Cortijo will participate for the first time in Madrid Fusión, thus completing the showcase of the island's gastronomic offerings. For Yeray Bolaños, owner of Origen Steak House, this is his first time participating, and he is proud to be featuring a product, such as Canarian beef, that he has championed for years.
Ramón Rendo, Director of Domestic Trade of the Gran Canaria Chamber of Commerce, thanked “the support of Gran Canaria Tourism to continue offering the island's gastronomy in Madrid, with some of the best professionals and most prestigious products: it is the greatest showcase of the sector and Gran Canaria could not be missing.”
Also new, this year some products that had not been treated before will be made and tasted in Madrid Fusión, such as octopus and Canarian beef and Pelibuey lamb meat. The cheese, by Isidoro Jiménez; coffee, from Víctor Lugo; gofio, fish, shellfish and tropical fruits will also not be missing from the event to delight those attending Pavilion 14 of Ifema, where Madrid Fusión takes place.
For the staging of Gran Canaria, the Wine Route could not be missing either, which will promote, once again, the treasures of wine tourism on the island.
Gran Canaria, an ascending international gastronomic development
Madrid Fusión celebrates its twenty-second edition this year, in which Gran Canaria has participated in seven, uninterruptedly. This exhibition and enhancement of the island's gastronomy is thanks to the determined commitment that the Cabildo of Gran Canaria has been making for the island's sector and gastronomic tourism.
Be part of Saborea España (under the Saborea Gran Canaria brand), the organization of press trips and fam trips in the destination, as well as communication on the web, networks and specialized media of the entire gastronomy value chain on the island, They have managed to place Gran Canaria on the international gastronomic map and contribute, in some way, to chefs, producers and experiences beginning to receive recognition.
Gran Canaria has fifty restaurants that are part of the Michelin and Repsol Guides, including Stars, Soles, BIB Gourmand, Soletes and Recommended. Their wines and cheeses are awarded worldwide, as are their ciders. And many other products that have prestige, inside and outside the island.
