Carmen Mola returns as Planeta 2021 winner to open the 2024 Maestral Literary Evenings
In a fresh celebration of contemporary fiction, Carmen Mola, celebrated for earning the Planeta prize in 2021, opens the 2024 Maestral Literary Evenings. The event, organized by Group Vecta, takes place on a Friday with doors opening at 20:30 at the Alicante restaurant. The night centers on the new novel Inferno, a project created under the Carmen Mola pseudonym by the collaboration of Jorge Díaz, Agustín Martínez, and Antonio Mercero. Known for acclaimed works such as Monster and Gypsy Bride, the trio unveils their latest achievement, blending mystery with emotion in a setting that invites cultural discussion and refined gastronomy.
Carmen Mola: “We don’t mind being called by any title; it even makes us smile”
With the venue at full capacity, three writers join a seasoned cultural journalist for a post-dinner conversation about the new work and the story behind its creation. Attendees experience a thoughtfully curated night designed to complement the atmosphere of the novel, including a special menu inspired by its themes and imagery captured on the cover photograph.
Menu inspired by “Inferno”
The evening begins with a partridge broth enriched by a delicate egg yolk and a butter cake, followed by a cherry gazpacho from Soutochao and a slice of Écija jerky-topped cake to awaken the palate. The main course features slow-roasted lechón with a champagne sauce, concluding with imperial apricot desserts and a fruit salad with chocolate accents that nod to tropical flavors. The menu is paired with a signature red wine from the Suripanta range, crafted by the historic Casa Sicilia 1707 winery.
Diners embark on a distinctive gastronomic journey that mirrors Maestral’s refined flavors and the narrative arc moving from colonial Cuba to a world of intrigue, ambition, and memory. The experience goes beyond a meal; it invites guests to step into the pages of a story where food, setting, and character intertwine to create a memorable evening.