Gran Canaria Cements Its Status as a Premier Gastronomic Destination
The eighth Orígenes Professional Gastronomy Congress, set for September 29th and 30th at the Finca del Olivo in Telde, solidifies Gran Canaria’s position as a first-class culinary reference point in Spain. During the event’s presentation at Infecar on Wednesday, September 17th, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Crafts, Minerva Alonso, highlighted the institution’s effort to place “Orígenes Gran Canaria in the league of iconic events like Madrid Fusión and San Sebastián Gastronómika.”
A Stellar Gathering of Culinary Talent
Promoted by the Gran Canaria Council and the Chamber of Commerce, this event will bring together 23 professionals on the island—including 19 Michelin-starred chefs—alongside sommeliers, agri-food experts, and other prominent local, national, and international figures. The congress’s objectives, made clear at its presentation, are to revalue local gastronomy and the agri-food sector, highlight the quality and uniqueness of Gran Canaria’s products, drive sustainability and the circular economy, promote environmentally respectful practices, and integrate gastronomy into the island’s identity.
Spotlight on the Next Generation
A leading role will be given to young talent, with the active involvement of students from eleven vocational training centers and private schools. These students will not only attend the congress but will also perform other functions during the event, making it pure gold for their learning and professional development.
A Program of High-Level Discussions and Innovation
The program revolves around high-level lectures. Borja Marrero will kick things off with a look at local product cuisine, followed by expositions on the circular economy, innovation in gourmet mushroom self-cultivation, and sustainable livestock farming. Viticulture will take special prominence in roundtables discussing small-scale production, varietal recovery, sustainability, and generational renewal, featuring experts like José María Márquez, José Romero, and Raúl Pérez.
National and International Perspectives
National and international presence will be provided by chefs such as Samuel Naveira, Randy Siles, Pedro Sánchez, Toño Pérez, Diego Guerrero, and Bego Rodrigo, who will contribute diverse visions on authenticity and the transfer of knowledge between different gastronomic territories.
Celebrating Local Success Abroad
A major new feature will be the recognition of the “Grancanario por el Mundo” (Gran Canarian in the World). Young chef Javi Vega, accompanied by his partner Blanca Martín, will share the story of their restaurant, Memoria Gustativa, in Valencia. Their venture has been a meteoric success, having already earned a spot in the Michelin Guide, with great anticipation for the upcoming awards gala in November.
The Evolving Role of the Sommelier
The role of the sommelier and front-of-house service is evolving rapidly through new trends and working models. Recognizing this, Orígenes Gran Canaria will highlight the importance of the dining room experience. A roundtable will feature sommeliers from the island and mainland Spain, including Diego Tornel, Silvia Camarero, Cristina Navarro, and Daniel Jiranto. A lecture on the second day will be led by Nikola Ivicic and Marcos Trujillo.
A Decade of Strategic Investment in Gastronomy
Minister Minerva Alonso emphasized that “over the last decade, the institutional strategy has represented an investment of nearly six million euros through the ‘Gran Canaria Me Gusta’ program, focused on the promotion, commercialization, and training in gastronomy and local products. This commitment has had a clear impact on the national visibility and prestige of the island’s sector.” She noted that the congress serves as a meeting point for producers, cooks, service professionals, viticulturists, emerging figures, and innovative companies within the gastronomic scene, generating networking opportunities, knowledge transfer, and greater visibility for the region.
A Collective Effort for a Culinary Future
Both Minerva Alonso and Juan Manuel Gabella, General Director of Industry and Commerce for the Gran Canaria Council, highlighted the fundamental role the Gran Canaria Chamber of Commerce has played in this success over the years. They also thanked all the island’s private companies and specialized media for their constant support and collaborative work in favor of the sector.
Gran Canaria thus reinforces its identity as an attractive destination for gastronomic tourism and industry professionals, serving as an example of sustainability, social resilience, and quality. Both established professionals and students find in the Orígenes Gran Canaria Congress a showcase of the collective effort—spanning the public, private, educational, and social sectors—to turn local cuisine into one of the archipelago’s main cultural and economic engines.
Remember that registration is free but essential via the website www.origenesgrancanaria.com. From Por Fogones, we will be covering everything that happens during these days, which are full of flavor and still hold a few surprises to be revealed. If you’d like, you can follow us on Instagram, X, and TikTok under the handle @javiers_gastro.
