From November 20 to 29, A Coruña will host the XXII edition of the Tapas Picadillo competition. This event is part of the city’s efforts to promote local gastronomy, tourism, and cultural leisure through the tradition of tapas. Organized by the local government, led by Inés Rey, this competition is the oldest gastronomic event in Galicia and aims to enhance the city’s reputation as a destination for traditional culinary experiences, featuring seasonal and locally sourced products, as well as innovative culinary techniques.
Gonzalo Castro, the city’s Councillor for Culture and Tourism, emphasized the importance of the Tapas Picadillo competition in celebrating and promoting A Coruña’s rich gastronomic offerings. He stated, "The Tapas Picadillo competition is a fundamental initiative to energize and celebrate the great culinary options of this city, which must be protected and advocated for, something we are very clear about from the municipal government."
Restaurants interested in participating can register from October 8 to 21. Participation is free and must be completed via a form available on the official website. All participating establishments will receive promotional materials, including posters for display, brochures listing all participants and tapas routes, as well as QR codes for public voting.
The competition features two main categories: the Tapa Recetario Picadillo, based on traditional Galician recipes from the book La cocina práctica by the renowned A Coruña gastronomist Picadillo, and the Tapa Creativa, designed for innovative culinary proposals. All tapas must be handmade, prioritizing local ingredients, and will be priced between 3 and 6 euros.
Three main prizes will be awarded: for Best Creative Tapa, Best Tapa Recetario Picadillo, and Best Tapa by Popular Vote. The first two prizes come with a reward of 1,000 euros and a diploma, while the popular vote winner will receive 500 euros and a diploma. Additionally, this year, to further support the training of local professionals, winners of the two main categories will also receive a course in Innovative Cooking at the Basque Culinary Center in San Sebastián, valued at 1,000 euros. Prizes for the public who vote for the most popular tapa will also be announced on the competition's website.
