When the sun rose tonight, it did so over every corner of the country, marking the arrival of 101 new Repsol Guide Suns. The gala at the Alicante State Assembly Auditorium celebrated the year’s top gastronomy, highlighting a healthy, forward-moving Spanish cuisine and confirming the Repsol brand as a national symbol.
The kitchen as a guiding principle became the event’s heartbeat. A full auditorium watched a stage often lit by culinary stars, while a list of excellence grew with names of new restaurants earning the coveted Repsol Suns. The night underscored a vibrant scene where tradition meets discovery, and diners continually reward it with enthusiasm.
Two newly elevated establishments, Maralba by Fran Martinez in Almansa and Corral de la Morería led by David Garcia in Madrid, joined the Olympus of the Sun with three Repsol Suns each. In total, 43 organizations hold this privilege. The emphasis remained on a quiet, emotional kitchen that researches tradition and promotes the discovery of the most gratifying flavors, a message echoed by diners who have made these restaurants favorites.
“There is no greater news than hearing a restaurant say we’re full. It means the kitchen is filling lives in many ways,” stated the Repsol Guide manager. Maria Ritter.
During the gala, where Silvia Abril delivered witty, appetizing humor, the dining room transformed into a dining hall where cooks themselves were celebrated. The ceremony recognized two bases for 18 establishments and celebrated 81 Suns in total. Masters of ceremony aligned with the event included Joan Roca, Ricard Camarena, the Torres brothers, Andoni Luis Adúriz, and Elena Arzak, all acknowledged with three Suns.
Two more Suns went to Ambivium in Penafiel and Amelia in Donostia, with other honored names including Bo.Tic in Corçà, Mantua in Jerez de la Frontera, Nub in Costa Adeje, and Umiko in Madrid.
The chefs’ commitment to a sunnier culinary philosophy keeps pushing culinary activity toward rural regions, energizing local economies and inviting guests to explore. Notable acknowledgments went to chefs like Jorge Asenjo and Erroin in the Basque valley of Atxondo, and Carlos Oyarbide with Bistronomiko in San Adrián (Navarra). The Alicante celebration also honored four outstanding hostesses for their hospitality, adding to the festive atmosphere.
As a moment of high distinction, Hilario Arbelaitz from Zuberoa and Abraham García of Viridiana received the Sun of Honor for their long-standing influence and for shaping generations of cooks. The ceremony also highlighted several celebrated restaurants such as Culler de Pau in O Grove, La Finca in Elche, Molino de Alcuneza in Sigüenza, and Finca Alfoliz in Aljaraque, recognizing ongoing sustainability and culinary excellence across Spain. The event featured key figures from the food industry and public sector, including the General Manager of the Ministry of Agriculture, Jose Miguel Herrero, Repsol’s Managing Director of Customers, Valero Marin, and Repsol’s brand director, Mark Fraga, underscoring the collaboration between industry and government in promoting Spanish gastronomy.
perfect moment
Gastronomy stands as a shared cultural asset, enriching regional identity and expanding the tourist appeal of the Valencian Community. Ximo Puig, president of the Generalitat Valenciana, highlighted the event’s significance and noted that the region invested 690,000 euros to celebrate the occasion in Alicante. The emphasis was on showcasing Mediterranean gastronomy’s identity, grounded in landscape, sustainability, product quality, and tradition.
For Repsol’s leadership, the delivery of 101 Suns marks a peak moment for national gastronomy. Anthony Brufau stated that another year has reinforced Spain’s standing as a global culinary force with vast potential waiting to be explored by the world. The Suns presentation served to illustrate how gastronomy touches everyday life, supported by Repsol Guide alongside regional and local entities in valuing this art and its community impact.
In this spirit, the Diputación’s president Carlos Mazón noted a sweet moment for the region’s culinary scene, describing experiences and exceptional hospitality as felt across the industry. The mayor of Alicante, Luis Barcala, echoed the sentiment, affirming that gastronomy represents culture, wealth, effort, and passion, and that the city was honored to host this showcase of culinary excellence.
The gala also recognized the contributions of women in the kitchen. For the first time at a Repsol Suns gala, a menu entirely prepared by 11 female chefs from the Valencian Community was presented, highlighting the high concentration of women among the Suns cohort: Susi Díaz of La Finca in Elche, María José San Román of El Monastrell in Alicante, and Begoña Rodrigo of La Salita, all proudly holding two Suns on site. [attribution: Repsol Guide]