Gran Canaria Hosts the VIII Professional Gastronomy Congress ‘Orígenes’
The line-up for this year’s VIII Professional Gastronomy Congress ‘Orígenes’, set to take place on 29 and 30 September at the Finca del Olivo in Infecar, firmly establishes Gran Canaria as a premier gastronomic destination in Spain.
Setting a National Standard
During the presentation held at Infecar on Wednesday, 17 September, Minerva Alonso, the Councillor for Industry, Commerce and Craftsmanship, emphasised the institution’s efforts to position ‘Orígenes Gran Canaria’ alongside iconic events such as Madrid Fusión and San Sebastián Gastronomika. Organised by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria and the Chamber of Commerce, the event will bring together 23 professionals, including 19 Michelin-starred chefs, sommeliers, agro-food experts, and prominent figures from both local and international backgrounds.
Objectives of the Congress
The objectives of the congress were made clear during its presentation: to enhance local gastronomy and the agro-food sector, highlight the quality and uniqueness of Gran Canary products, promote sustainability and the circular economy, encourage environmentally friendly practices, and integrate gastronomy into the island’s identity. Young talent will also play a vital role, with active participation from students from eleven vocational training centres and private schools, who will not only attend the Congress but also engage in various functions, offering invaluable learning experiences.
High-Profile Presentations
The programme will focus on high-level presentations. Borja Marrero will kick off with a discussion on local produce, followed by talks on circular economy, innovation in gourmet mushroom cultivation, and agro-ecological sustainability. The wine sector will be particularly highlighted in round tables discussing small-scale production, varietal recovery, sustainability, and generational change, featuring experts such as José María Márquez, José Romero, and Raúl Pérez.
National and International Presence
The event will feature renowned chefs including Samuel Naveira, Randy Siles, Pedro Sánchez, Toño Pérez, Diego Guerrero, and Bego Rodrigo, each offering unique insights on authenticity and the transfer of knowledge between different culinary regions. A notable addition will be the recognition of “Gran Canario por el Mundo,” where young chef Javi Vega and his partner Blanca Martín will share their experiences with their restaurant Memoria Gustativa in Valencia, which has rapidly gained recognition in the Michelin Guide and eagerly anticipates the gala in November.
The Evolving Role of Sommeliers
The role of sommeliers and the dining experience is evolving with new trends and working models. Thus, ‘Orígenes Gran Canaria’ will include a round table featuring island and mainland sommeliers like Diego Tornel, Silvia Camarero, Cristina Navarro, and Daniel Jiranto, as well as a presentation on the second day from Nikola Ivicic and Marcos Trujillo.
Investment and Visibility
Minerva Alonso pointed out that “over the last decade, the institutional strategy has led to an investment of nearly six million euros through the ‘Gran Canaria Me Gusta’ programme, focused on promoting, marketing, and training in local gastronomy and products. This commitment has significantly increased the national visibility and prestige of the island’s sector.” The congress has served as a meeting point for producers, chefs, hospitality professionals, winemakers, emerging talents, and innovative companies in the gastronomic landscape, fostering networking, knowledge transfer, and territorial visibility.
Both Minerva Alonso and Juan Manuel Gabella, General Director of Industry and Commerce at the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, highlighted the crucial role the Chamber of Commerce has played in their success over the years and expressed gratitude to all private enterprises and specialised media on the island for their ongoing support and collaborative efforts in favour of the sector.
Gran Canaria thus reinforces its identity as an appealing destination for gastronomic tourism, catering professionals, and a model of sustainability, social resilience, and quality. Both established professionals and students find in the ‘Orígenes Gran Canaria’ Congress a demonstration of the collective effort—public, private, educational, and social—to transform local cuisine into one of the cultural and economic engines of the archipelago.
Registration Information
It is important to note that registration is free but must be completed via the website www.origenesgrancanaria.com.
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From Por Fogones, we will be covering all that unfolds during these flavour-filled days, with some surprises yet to be revealed. Follow us on Instagram, X, and TikTok under the username @javiers_gastro.
