The El Sauzal Auditorium is poised to serve as the grand stage for the upcoming 38th edition of the National Gastronomy Awards. Organised by the DIARIO DE AVISOS Foundation, the event is scheduled to commence at 19:30 tomorrow evening. This year marks a special occasion, as the event’s festivities have been ramped up for 2023 and will be captured for prime-time television viewing by Atlántico Televisión.
Initially aimed at acknowledging culinary mastery at a regional level, the awards have expanded their horizons over the past ten years. What began as a local accolade has burgeoned into a reputable benchmark for gastronomic excellence across the Iberian Peninsula. Despite this national pivot, the awards remain committed to celebrating the regional cuisine and wineries of the Canary Islands.
The awards were the brainchild of the late Manuel Iglesias, a former deputy director at DIARIO DE AVISOS. He had a vision of energising the restaurant sector and his pioneering efforts have left a lasting impact. Today, the awards continue to uphold this original ethos by seeking out projects that meld talent, ingenuity, and a commitment to environmental sustainability and local sourcing.
The judging panel for this year’s National Gastronomy Awards is chaired by José Luis Conde and comprises experts in the field. The awards are divided into several categories, honouring a broad spectrum of culinary endeavours:
DIARIO DE AVISOS Awards Jury and Categories
The distinguished panel of jurors for this year’s 38th National Gastronomy Awards, overseen by Chair José Luis Conde, has unveiled its selection of winners across a variety of categories:
Manuel Iglesias Award: Mariano Ramos of Los Limoneros
Situated in Tacoronte, Los Limoneros is marking its 37th year in business. Mariano Ramos, originally from La Gomera, journeyed to Tenerife with aspirations to make a name in the restaurant industry. Through relentless perseverance and commitment to quality, he has established Los Limoneros as a beacon of culinary distinction in the Canary Islands.
Best Foreign Cuisine: Najat Kaanache for Culinary Initiatives in Morocco and Seville
Najat Kaanache, born in 1978 in Orio, Guipúzcoa, straddles the cultural landscapes of the Basque Country and the rural regions of Northern Morocco. Ferran Adrià regards her as a trailblazer in her own right, and she has an ever-expanding network of restaurants, including her latest venture, Ziryab in Seville.
Best Work in Confectionery: Boutique Relieve
Inaugurated in 1988 by Irene Páez and José Manuel Marrero, Boutique Relieve is now helmed by their offspring, Alicia, Carolina, and Alfredo. Under Alfredo’s creative direction, the establishment has evolved while retaining its standing as an influential name in the domains of chocolate and coffee.
#Consume Canario Award: Bestia Marina by Omar Páez
Omar Páez, a native of Garachico, draws inspiration from family recipes dating back to the early 20th century. His enterprise, Bestia Marina, eschews modern cooking gadgets in favour of traditional grilling techniques, even for desserts. This accolade is endorsed by GMR Canarias and the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries.
Best Work in Gastronomy Training: Basque Culinary Center
Situated atop a hill in the southern outskirts of Donostia-San Sebastián, the Basque Culinary Center, led by Joxe Mari Aizega, houses both a Faculty of Gastronomic Sciences and a Centre for Research and Innovation in Food and Gastronomy. The institution has set new standards for higher education and innovation in the culinary world across Europe.
Best Restaurant: San Hô at the Royal Hideaway Corales Beach in Costa Adeje
Headed by Adrián Bosch, San Hô reinterprets Tenerifan flavours through a lens of Japanese and Peruvian culinary techniques. Sponsored by Tu Trébol, this award recognises the restaurant’s collaboration with local producers and its fresh take on island cuisine.
Best Work in Wines: Bodega Tamerán in Gran Canaria
Retired football legend David Silva, a native of Arguineguín in Gran Canaria, has invested in his homeland with this winery, earning recognition for its contributions to the wine sector.
Best National Restaurant: Les Cols in Gerona
Les Cols is nestled in a 15th-century farmhouse where chef Fina Puigdevall was born. Alongside her family, she crafts dishes that are true to her origins and artistic sensibilities.
Atlántico Televisión, the Canary Islands’ first private regional channel and a subsidiary of Grupo Plató del Atlántico, will televise the gala during prime time. Hosted by comedian Aarón Gómez, the ceremony will feature musical interludes from Víctor Lemes and Satomi Morimoto, with comedic sketches by Carmen Cabeza and Abián Díaz.
The awards are generously sponsored by an array of public and private organisations, including TuTrébol, various city councils, Promotur Turismo de Canarias, GMR Canarias, and more. Official media partners include Atlántico Radio and Atlántico TV.
