The DIARIO DE AVISOS National Gastronomy Awards have once again recognised some of the biggest names in Spanish and Canarian food, celebrating the people and businesses helping to keep the country’s culinary reputation firmly on the map.
Now in their 41st year, the awards are the oldest gastronomy prizes presented by a media organisation in Spain and continue to shine a spotlight on talent, creativity and hard work across the industry.
This year’s ceremony took place at a packed Teatro de El Sauzal, with chefs, restaurateurs and food professionals from across the Canary Islands and mainland Spain coming together for the occasion.
Recognising the best in the business
Among the evening’s winners were Priscila and Carlos Gamonal from Mesón El Drago in Tegueste, who received the Manuel Iglesias Award for their contribution to Canarian gastronomy.
The award for Best Ambassador of Canarian Gastronomy went to Luna Zacharias, the Lanzarote chef, restaurateur and former MasterChef contestant, recognised for promoting local produce and sustainable cooking.
Meanwhile, El Líbano, the long-established Santa Cruz restaurant run by Ali Mahmoud Mohsen, picked up the award for Best International Cuisine, adding another achievement to a business that has been serving diners since 1979.
Celebrating local produce
Several awards highlighted the importance of using local ingredients and supporting Canarian producers.
The @ConsumeCanario Award went to Cráter, where chef Eduardo Domínguez has created a menu inspired by the island of La Palma.
Bodega Ferrera, located high above Güímar at around 1,000 metres above sea level, received the award for its outstanding contribution to Canarian wines.
The Young Talent Award was presented to Rafael de León, executive chef at JOIA El Mirador by Iberostar in Costa Adeje.
From pastries to fine dining
The evening also recognised excellence across a wide range of culinary disciplines.
Dana Joher, founder of Ave Pastelería in Las Palmas, was named Best Pastry Chef, while Madrid’s La Tasquería, led by Javi Estévez, collected the award for Best National Restaurant.
The title of Best Restaurant went to Brisa Marina in Yaiza, Lanzarote, where owner Juan Cabrera, better known as Juan el Majorero, continues to build one of the Canary Islands’ most respected seafood restaurants alongside chef Germán Blanco.
The final award of the evening recognised Samantha Vallejo-Nágera for her contribution to promoting gastronomy, following more than a decade as one of the judges on MasterChef Spain.
A celebration of Canarian gastronomy
Food has become one of the Canary Islands’ biggest attractions in recent years, and awards like these help recognise the people working behind the scenes to keep raising standards.
Whether it’s traditional Canarian cooking, international cuisine, local wines or modern pastry, the islands continue to prove there’s far more to their food scene than many visitors expect.
It’s good to see the people behind that success getting the recognition they deserve.