The winners of the Route of the Tapa 2024 in La Laguna have been announced, marking another successful year for this gastronomic celebration. The awards were presented by Estefanía Díaz, the Councillor for Commerce, who praised the efforts of participating establishments in blending culinary innovation with traditional Canarian flavours, helping to position La Laguna as a top gastronomic destination.
Awards Ceremony and Recognition
Organised by the City Council of La Laguna, through the Department of Tourism and Commerce, and in collaboration with the business association La Laguna Zona Comercial (LLZC), the award ceremony recognised the top restaurants in this year’s edition. The honours were awarded to:
- Lagula – Winner of the Tapa de Oro (Gold Tapas) award
- Gulagú – Winner of the Tapa de Plata (Silver Tapas) award
- Restaurante Maquila – Winner of the Tapa de Bronce (Bronze Tapas) award
The Mayor of Commerce, Estefanía Díaz, and LLZC President, Iván Pérez, visited each winning establishment to present the highly anticipated awards in person.
Exceptional Public Participation
This year’s Route of the Tapa saw a tremendous increase in public participation, with more than 7,000 people voting through the LLZC APP – a significant increase compared to previous editions. This overwhelming response contributed to the success of the event, which has firmly established itself as one of La Laguna’s key gastronomic highlights.
Promoting Gastronomy and Local Tradition
Councillor Estefanía Díaz congratulated all participants for their creativity, dedication, and contribution to maintaining La Laguna’s reputation as a gastronomic hub in the Canary Islands. She emphasised that the event plays a crucial role in promoting the municipality by showcasing dishes that combine culinary innovation with the authenticity of traditional Canarian cuisine.
Díaz particularly highlighted the importance of using local ingredients in creating the tapas, which helps to support local farmers, livestock producers, and fishermen. She stressed that using these quality products not only elevates the culinary experience but also promotes sustainability and reinforces the circular economy within the community.
Collaboration Between Public and Private Sectors
The joint effort between the public and private sectors was acknowledged as a key factor in the success of the event. Díaz emphasised, “This cooperation model greatly benefits local businesses, and we will continue to promote it.”
Statements from Key Figures
- Abbas Moujir, President of the Federation of Urban Areas of the Canary Islands (FAUCA), noted that this gastronomic event has become a flagship initiative for the city’s catering sector. It plays an essential role in promoting and raising the profile of local gastronomy, making the La Laguna Open Commercial Zone a benchmark for successful public-private collaboration.
- Iván Pérez, President of the LLZC, expressed his pleasure in presenting the awards, commending the dedication and enthusiasm of the participating establishments. “Their dedication year after year, in raising the standard of the tapas, is fundamental. Without them, this event would not be possible,” Pérez stated.
Economic Impact and Success
The 2024 edition of the Route of the Tapa proved to be a significant economic boost for the participating businesses. Approximately 160,000 tapas were sold at a fixed price of 4 euros each, resulting in an estimated €640,000 in revenue. This financial injection has provided substantial support to the local economy, benefiting the businesses that took part in the event held in July.
The Route of the Tapa 2024 not only celebrated the culinary excellence of La Laguna but also demonstrated the power of collaboration and community engagement, reinforcing its status as a culinary highlight of the Canary Islands.
