Alicante will reunite for four days, from September 23 to 26, at IFA to celebrate the pinnacle of national cuisine. Alicante Gastronómica was unveiled this morning at the Diputación Auditorium as the largest Spanish gastronomy fair open to the public.
I.F.A. Fairgrounds will host the fourth edition, billed as stronger than ever, with more than 40 Michelin stars and 60 Repsol suns represented on a floor of 36,000 square meters. The event will bring together renowned chefs and upcoming talents, spanning haute cuisine and everyday meals. Burgos will be the guest province this year, announced by Carlos Bath, president of the Alicante Chamber of Commerce, the primary backer of the event brand—supported by the Alicante Provincial Council, the Costa Blanca Board of Trustees, and Turisme Comunitat Valenciana. The organizers emphasize that this festival is a standout reflection of the province’s culinary identity and vitality. A question many attendees ask is how this gastronomy showcase can shape the regional dining scene in the months ahead [citation].
The festival will honor the chef José Maria Garcia and highlight the Elche-based La Finca graduation, with José Gomez and fourth-generation pork producers Joselito taking center stage. The First National Congress of Potato Tortilla will be directed by celebrated gastronomy critic Rafael Garcia Santos, who led The Best of Gastronomy from 2009 to 2011, alongside the XV National Championship. This celebrated dish, a staple of Spanish cuisine, is not a frequent sight in Alicante’s bars, yet it will feature prominently at the event, including the first Professional Potato Omelette Competition in the region [citation].
The promotion of this national dish parallels Alicante Gastronómica’s support for another hometown staple, salted products. García Santos highlights salt as a defining feature of Alicante cuisine, noting the second edition of the Best Salted Tapa Contest. He explains that advances in salting have refined fish and other ingredients, moving salt into the high kitchen and giving it a leading role in contemporary cooking. The festival will also host competitions for Best Mediterranean Rice, Best Wine, and Best Bluefin Tuna Tartare, along with activities like the Bread and Pastry Forum, Valencia Tapas Day, Wine and Spice Tunnels, and Master Chocolatiers [citation].
Carlos Mazon, president of the Provincial Assembly, emphasized that Alicante Gastronómica will again serve as a lever to help overcome the economic crisis. He described the fair as inclusive, organized by locals for locals, acting as a springboard to showcase and cultivate the region’s culinary wealth and excellent products. The event is framed as an economic and cultural catalyst that invites participants to experience Alicante’s food story firsthand [citation].
Francesco Colomer, Generalitat’s Secretary of Tourism, characterized Alicante Gastronómica as an ecosystem built on kindness and driven by intelligence. He reminded audiences that gastronomy is a global pillar in constant motion and needs ongoing challenges to grow, adapt, and reach new audiences worldwide. The fair is presented as a living platform that connects local producers with international markets, media, and diners curious about Spain’s diverse culinary traditions [citation].