This year’s awards span categories such as agriculture and food products, refined gastronomic communication, the wine world, sustainable management, emerging talent, career recognition, and the revelation of standout restaurants and chefs of the year. As an innovation, recognition for the best room manager has evolved to include the best room equipment, underscoring the crucial partnership between head waiter and waiter, and the power of a well-coordinated team.
New rewards
Among the fresh distinctions, food photography joins the lineup in addition to the top prize, earning its place in this edition. The aim is to highlight the virtue of the second-ranked managerial figure within large-scale kitchen operations.
Alicante shines at the Valencian Community Gastronomy Awards
Last year, Belén Arias helped recover the awards from a pause during the pandemic after three empty editions. The ceremony took place at ADDA, with the province of Alicante receiving a substantial share of the accolades. Building on the success of the return gala, the upcoming event will again gather the region’s culinary leaders to celebrate last year’s selections for 2023 in a gala hosted by the illusionist and entertainer Anthony Blake, who is celebrated for his affection for the local cuisine.
assistants
Across the roster, world-class chefs such as Quique Dacosta, Ricard Camarena, Kiko Moya, Susi Díaz, Paco Torreblanca, and other notable figures confirm their presence. The Ministry of Tourism, Industry, Innovation and Trade, represented by Nuria Montes; tourism MP Pedro Cuesta; and Paula Llobet, a member of the Valencia Tourism, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council, are among the officials attending. Representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and other key bodies, along with more than a hundred local and national media outlets, gastronomy companies, and business associations, will be present to cover the event.
Dissemination and visibility
The awards exist to honor the work of gastronomic professionals. The Academy functions as an independent body, with a panel that evaluates and ranks gastronomy criteria. Its focus lies on the gastronomy of the Valencian Community, guided by forty-two academics who organize the annual lunch and dinner calendar to explore, propose, and assess diverse gastronomy projects. [Source: Valencian Community Gastronomy Awards communications]
Premiere
An experiential episode will showcase on the 12th, featuring tastings of high-quality gastronomic products curated by Mare students from Asindown, with vineyards and estates such as Pepe Mendoza Agricultural Estate, Hispano Swiss Wineries, Casa Los Frailes Winery, Casa Sicilia Winery, Vicente Gandia Wineries, Balancilla Cafes, and other producers. It will also spotlight meats from Rubiato Paredes and Rubén Fenollar, sausages from Manglano, rice from DO Valencia, ham from Extrem, and breads and desserts from regional artisans. The event will include 100% plant-based products from Hi Vegs!, and a traditional broth with balls prepared by Alicante Gastronómica Solidaria. Local partners including Muñoz Bosch, Carmencita Especias, Grupo Dacsa, and Dicoval will collaborate with Mapfre, CaixaBank, Estrella Galicia, Coca Cola, and Makro at the gala.
The 2023 CV Gastronomy Academy Awards enjoy institutional support from the Generalitat Valenciana, L’Exquisit Mediterrani; Valencia Turisme; Valencia Provincial Council; Valencia City Council – Visit Valencia; Alicante City Council – City and Beach; Castello Town Hall; and the Valencian Chamber of Commerce.
Academy
The Valencian Community Gastronomy Academy (AGCV) began in 2004 as a non-profit organization. It brings together gastronomic enthusiasts and defenders of the region’s culinary culture, maintaining a link with the Royal Spanish Academy of Gastronomy and coordinating with related regional academies. Support comes from the Ministry of Science and Innovation, the Spanish Nutrition Foundation, the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality, the Ministry of Justice, and collaboration with ICEX Spain Export and Investment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation.
Today the Academy comprises roughly 50 academics who are public figures with deep knowledge of Valencian gastronomy. They dedicate themselves to promoting, protecting, and celebrating the region’s culinary heritage, working selflessly and without any personal gains in the Academy’s activities.
Current Directive
Belén Arias Paredes (President); Sergio Terol (Vice President); Romina Martínez Colomer (Vice President); Cristóbal Martí Brugada (Secretary); Julia Pérez Broseta (Treasurer); and members: David Lladró Roig, Kiko Murcia Puchades; Gregorio Gómez Soriano, Javier Lizcano Gutiérrez, Javier Monedero Sena, Maximiliano Olivas Navarro, Sergio Adelantado Álvarez, Agustín Gregori Bernabeu, Antonio Pérez Marcos, Carlos Bertomeu Marínez, Carlos Bosch Valero, Carlos Pascual de Miguel, Carlos Pujadas Vian, Carmen Salas Granados, Clara Millo Talón, Fernando Ballester Montinavarro, Francisco Ruiz de la Torre Esporrín, Francisco Soler Caballero, Inés Casanova Marza, Joaquín Maldonado Rubio, José Juan Orts Pérez, José Juan Sanchís Busquie, Jose Maria Amat Mira, José Miguel Laínez Andrés, José Vicente Morata Estragues, Juan Viña Ribes, Lourdes Luz Cerveró, Mar López Urriaga, Luis Lluch Garcia, Mar López Urriaga, Maria Dolores Guillamón Fajardo, Maximo Buch Torralva, Mercedes Gonzálex Domínguez, Rafael Alcón Traver, Rafael Poveda Bernabé, Ricardo Císcar Garcia, Rosa María Lladró Sala, Susana Solís Benito, Vicente Llácer Ripoll.