Academia de Gastronomía C.V. VÍ Vid attends the Annual Awards Ceremony.

On Monday 12 February 2024, the Valencian Gastronomy Academy held its annual awards ceremony, the ‘Oscars’ for the Agriculture, Wine, Hostelry, and Tourism sector. An annual event until the Pandemic struck, new President Belen Arias revived the awards last year when they were held in ADDA in Alicante.

This year they reverted to Valencia City and were held in Las Arenas Hotel, the spiritual home to many of the Communities’ events to recognise excellence.

Opening the event Belen Arias spoke to the insuperable position of the professionalism exhibited in every part of the sector, outstanding products from olive oil, rice, hostelry, bread and patisserie, wine,  restaurants, fresh vegetables, innovation, and in which all levels seek to produce the best products or services. All of this of course is leading Valencia to become the most visited part of Spain by those looking for a gastronomic experience, visitors who come from all over the world.

The ceremony was presented by Anthony Blake, Illusionist, and humourist who entertained the invitees between prizes by gently teasing members of the audience with tricks, many of whom were destined themselves to pick up an award or present one. Like many others he is enamoured by the gastronomy of the region!

The first prize for ‘Best Product 2023’ went to the Cooperativa de Viver for its outstanding Olive Oil,’ Lagrima’ presented in a black tin and a favourite in many top restaurants.

The second prize was awarded for the best ‘Equipo de Sala 2023’ (the best front of house team) which went to Aragon 58,  a restaurant with over 20 years of service, noted for its dedication to quality products, Mediterranean cookery, and the best service experience.  

‘Carmencita Especias’ received the third award of the morning as the best ‘Empresa Gastronómica 2023’. Based in Novelda, Carmencita has been producing spices and cooking enhancements for more than 100 years. Its salt grinder with black truffle is an icon and is much used by us!

‘Jefa de Cocina 2023’ went to Carolina Álvarez of Quique Dacosta’s 3*Michelin restaurant in Denia. This was a new award introduced by the academy to recognise those who work in the ‘second line’ in the great restaurants of the Community.

‘Project and Sustainable Management 2023’ is a prize awarded this year to the fruit and vegetable sector company ‘Hortifruticolas de Levante’ for their project aimed at renewing the sector from farmer to distribution and the Km0 concept together with guaranteeing the viability of the Communities seasonal products.

 The award for the best writer ‘Comunicación  Gastronómica 2023’ covering the sector went to Jesus Trelis for his blog ‘Historias con Delantal’ (tales from the apron). That for the best photography, ‘Fotografía Gastronómica’ was awarded to Mikel Ponce who enjoys an international reputation for his work.

The 2023 prize for the career path ‘Trayectoria Gastronómica’ was collected by Paco Gandia and Josefa Navarro for their 30 years of work cooking the famous rice dish ‘Rabbit and Snails’ over vine-cuttings.

The ‘World of Wine Award 2023’ was entirely justifiably picked up by the thirteenth generation of the Velazquez family Maria Jose and Miguel Velázquez of Fontanars dels Alforins  bodega ‘ Los Frailes’, believed to be the oldest in the community for their work with biodynamic ecological wines.

‘Talento Emergente 2023’, the award for fast-rising talent in the kitchen was received by Lenin Busquet, chef at Abiss, in Calpe. This is a restaurant noted for its creatively and artfully plated dishes in an elegant space with picture windows overlooking the sea.

‘Restaurante Revelación 2023’ went to ‘Flama’ the Eixample restaurant on the Gran Via in Valencia. It takes its name from its wood-fired brasa and original cookery style.

‘Chef of the Year 2023’ was awarded to the diminutive  Vicky Sevilla of Arrells, in a palace in the old centre of Sagunto. She has worked with many of the top chefs in Valencia before opening her establishment and cooks essentially Mediterranean food.

The closing ceremony was carried out by the president of the Generalitat Valenciana D. Carlos Mazón, who paid tribute to the outstanding work, and the extraordinary future of Valencian Gastronomy.

The event was followed by an excellent ‘cocktail’ (buffet) with wines from several bodegas including Hispano+Suizas, Pepe Mendoza (Casa Agricultura) Los Frailes, Viver, Vicente Gandia and Casa Cecilia. Food came from several of the sponsors and the kitchens of Las Arenas Balneario’s kitchens, Panaderos de Castelló, with rice dishes overseen by the DO Arroz de Valencia and many more.                                           As the Academia de Gastronomía says , and we agree “Life without Gastronomy is not life”, so a long life and success to the Gastronomy of the Valencian Community.