Jaén surrenders to its stars
The 10th edition of the Amigos del Santo Reino Gastronomic Awards will pay tribute to the nine chefs from Jaén who have Michelin stars, either within or outside the province, in a gala to be held on February 1st at the Olivo Arena Sports Palace in the city of Jaén.
These are Pedro Sánchez (Bagá*), Juan Aceituno (Dama Juana*), Juanjo Mesa (Radis*) and Javier Jurado (Malak*) in the capital, and Juan Carlos García Vandelvira* (Baeza), to which are added four local chefs who have been distinguished by the red guide: Álvaro Salazar (Voro**, Canyamel, Mallorca), Rodrigo de la Calle (El Invernadero*, Madrid), David Olivas (Back*, Marbella) and Daniel Silvestre (NM*, Oviedo).
Three of them, Radis, Malak and Vandelvira, achieved the first Michelin star at the gala held last November in Barcelona, making Jaén one of the most important gastronomic centers of the year according to its inspectors.
Honorary Awards
The association will also present the traditional honorary awards during the gala, which this year have been awarded to the Michelin Guide, winemakers Vicente Dalmau Cebrián-Sagarriga, president of Marqués de Murrieta, and José María Vicente, of Bodegas Casa Castillo; journalist Pilar Salas, director of 7Caníbales, "one of the most prestigious publications on gastronomy internationally"; writer and journalist Mari Pau Domínguez, and the Sevillian singer Manuel Lombo, the organization notes.
This association was created to highlight the culinary talent of the province through its award for the best restaurant of the year, for which in this edition the finalists are Hotel La Perdiz (La Carolina), Büry (Baños de la Encina), Casa Vacas (Torredelcampo), Vandelvira (Baeza), Bento (Jaén), Ginger (Jaén), El Rubio (Jaén), Casa Herminia (Cabra del Santo Cristo), Macorina (Cazorla), Capricho (Mengíbar) and La Clave (Baeza).
Awards will also be given for the best dish, pairing, and chef.
It was a difficult decision for its members, the president of the Gastronomic Association, Darío Díaz, stated at the event's presentation, due to "the high level" found during visits to the province's restaurants. They are not new to the business of discovering talent, because, he recalled, they were ahead of the Michelin Guide in awarding their prizes.
The president of the Provincial Council, Francisco Reyes, highlighted during his speech the work of promoting the province through gastronomy with the work of its most relevant chefs, who contribute to the tourism growth of the territory.
