From early this morning, activity was frenetic at the Alicantina Fair Institution. There are more than 250 exhibitors who have worked hard to make their stands look as good as possible because, from very early on, the public, including hundreds of schoolchildren, has come to an event that celebrates its fifth edition and has become one of the most important gastronomic fairs of the year.
In Alicante Gastronomic, promoted by the Chamber of Commerce and supported by the Provincial Council, some of the best chefs in the country will also participate, who have 60 Michelin stars and 100 Repsol Soles. Susi Díaz, from Elche, from La Finca, has “debuted” today cooking with four hands with her colleague María Gómez, from Magoma, in Cartagena; both can boast of her star in the prestigious French guide.
Greece, cradle of Mediterranean culture and gastronomy, is the guest country, which officially started shortly after noon when the president of the Provincial Council, Toni Pérez, cut a symbolic ribbon in the presence of the President of the Generalitat Valenciana and his predecessor in the provincial institution, Carlos Mazón.
Mazón has highlighted the support of the Consell so that the gastronomic offer of the Valencian Community continues to be a benchmark in quality, innovation and wealth creation, and has pointed out that Alicante Gastronomic reflects “the good work” of the restaurant, hospitality and the whole of the Valencian tourism sector.
Mazón has committed to “continuing to breathe life into a sector that has had a very bad time, that has demonstrated its ability to get back on its feet through quality, innovation, resilience and the desire to offer the world as much and as good thing we are capable of doing here.” In his opinion, Alicante Gastronómica has established itself as a “world showcase” of gastronomy.
“This means Gross Domestic Product, this means help for the hospitality industry and the tourism sector in general and this means income, economic activity and, therefore, more and better possibilities for social cohesion,” the president highlighted.
With the motto ‘Mediterranean Soul’, the 2023 edition of this event hosts more than 250 exhibitors in 36,000 square meters of space, with two rooms dedicated to wine tastings and pairings. In these four days, 180 presentations and workshops will be held and 15 professional competitions will be held, among them, the famous contest that each year chooses the best potato omelette in Spain.
Through Turisme Comunitat Valenciana, the Generalitat participates with its own exhibitor of 255 square meters in which, under the umbrella brand ‘L’Exquisit Mediterrani-Comunitat Valenciana’, it accommodates companies, professionals and destinations for the joint promotion of the tourist and gastronomic offer of the Valencian Community
Mazón, who was accompanied by the mayors of Alicante, Elx, Benidorm and Torrevieja, among others, and the Minister of Industry, Innovation and Tourism, as well as the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Carlos Baño, took a tour of different exhibitors and Among other activities, he visited the ‘The best of gastronomy’ space, together with chef Susi Díaz, witnessed a demonstration at the ‘Saborea Costa Blanca’ stand and stopped at numerous stalls in municipalities and food companies.
