If you are hunting down the best tapas in the world, Alicante might just be calling your name.
The city is in the middle of its third “La Millor Tapeta del Món” (the Best Tapas in the World) celebration. The event will run until 23 September.
It is a feast that mixes old-school favourites with clever modern twists. The event hopes to cement the humble tapa as a true symbol of Spanish food culture.
The action is happening in the kitchens of the Educational Centre for Consumer Resources (Cerca), on the ground floor of the Central Market.
Head to the market at 11:00 on the tapas days and see some of the province’s top restaurants stepping up to the stove. Chefs will cook up exclusive tapas in front of visitors who can try them for free!
Best Tapas in the World schedule
On Tuesday, 16 September, Restaurante Alfonso Mira from Aspe will kick off.
Chef, Raúl Asencio, will rustle up panettone. This will be served two ways, one with smoked butter, anchovy and herring roe. The other turned into a dessert with ice cream.
The following day, Wednesday, Restaurante Cassana of Castalla will take over, serving up cod meatballs with pericana and a house sauce. (Pericana is a traditional Spanish topping/sauce made from roasted red peppers, garlic, and olive oil, typical of the Alicante region).
After a little pause, the kitchen heats up again on Monday, 22 September, when Restaurante Paco Baile of Santa Pola presents aubergine cannelloni stuffed with mushrooms and foie gras.
Finally, on Tuesday the 23rd, Restaurante La Mar de Bien from Torrevieja will close the event in proper style. Chef will serve a free-range chicken croquette dressed up with crispy bacon, its own juices, and a base of liver pâté.
Councillor for Commerce, Lidia López, says the whole event is a showcase of Alicante’s culinary talent. “It is a chance to put its chefs on the map and give tapas the glory it deserves”, the councillor confirmed.
And frankly, with free samples that sound as tasty as these, who is going to argue?
