In November of every year for a few days, Valladolid becomes The national and international capital of tapa. There, and more specifically at the Millennium Dome, gourmet cuisine is served on small plates to celebrate the holiday National Tapas CompetitionIt is an annual event that searches for the best mini recipe in the entire country. During the days of 10, 11 and 12 November, the residents of Valladolid were able to try some of the most delicious tapas of Spanish and international cuisine, in the 21st edition that, as always, chose the winning proposal.
In this edition, it was the first prize Alejandro San Josefrom the Habanero Taquería restaurant, in Valladolid, thanks to the “Milpa” preparation. The recipe consists of a crunchy corn ring, filled with lamb cooked in a green tomato sauce, cod tissu (ground chili paste), pineapple pickled in tepache (a fermented Mexican drink) and candied pine nuts. The award, in addition to a check for €10,000, allows him to be the next representative of Spain at the 2026 World Tapas Championship.
The winning cover can be tested at Habanero taqueria (C. Duque de Lerma, 4), a Mexican restaurant Who champions the most authentic Aztec cuisine and that I actually got first prize In this competition in 2021, thanks to Salbot Criollo. This creation, which can still be ordered on the menu, consists of a delicious puffy patty filled with grilled pork, garnished with habanero mayo and guacamole. A mixture of Castilian and Mexican cuisine that triumphed again after four years.
“I was there four years ago and I didn’t think I would repeat it,” Alejandro San José said after receiving the award. “I was there as a student and it is great to be here and I want to thank those around me for these weeks of support. I am very proud to be from Valladolid. And stay home.”
The second prize, worth 5,000 euros, went to “Tronko Porko” by the restaurant Aitor Martinez. Ross was in BurrianaCastellon, twinned with Mocha. Finally, third prize went to “Perdíz, corn y escabeche” by director Jesús Iván Anaya, from the restaurant. Mirador de la Mancha, in Ciudad RealTwined with Las Cubas bar.
The jury was headed by Paco Morales, three-Michelin-starred chef and National Gastronomy Award Best Chef of 2025, who noted: “It was a very high standard. The results coincided with three establishments in Valladolid. We voted transparently and we came out this way. They are very good.”
At the same time as the national edition, Valladolid hosted 9th World Tapas Championship “Valladolid City”, a complementary event that hosts, for three days, the best international chefs in mini haute cuisine.
They competed in this category 16 chefsAmong them is the Spanish nominee Iñigo Tizon and his cover of “Los Mondays in the Sun” from the Gran Sol restaurant in Hondarribia, which was declared the winner in the last edition of the competition. From the American continent, participants came from Canada, the United States, Mexico and Uruguay. Europe was represented by chefs from Germany, Norway, Austria and the United Kingdom. From Asia and Oceania, chefs from Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand participated in the competition.
Australia was the winning country in this ninth edition of the competition, thanks to the development “Smoke under the hood” By Chef Andrea Vignali. This delight is the work of Italian restaurant Al Dente Enoteca, which is located in Melbourne and is twinned with El Corregidor. the Kangaroo meat was the main protagonist It is this dish that the Italian chef uses He wanted to mix the Australian culture with kangaroo meat; Italian, the chef’s country of birth, with guarantee; And the Spanish with Pedro Ximenez by bathing tapa in this famous wine.
Second place, with a prize of €5,000, went to Chef Chen Cheng Dian and his tapa “Esmeralda” from the Italian steakhouse Fresh & Aged in Taiwan, which is twinned with Sala 20. Third place, with a prize of €2,500, went to the tapa “La Reina del Mar” by Oyvind Boe Dalev, from Brasserie Touch in Norway, which was twinned with Restaurante Originario.
All participating tapas, including the winners, can be tried until Sunday, November 16 at the “International Tapa Festival” in the paired restaurants in Valladolid.
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