The Arrels Fair opens successfully and attracts crowds with gastronomy and local products

The 7th edition of the Arrels Fair, dedicated to local products and Menorcan cuisine, opened its doors this Saturday, September 21, at the Es Mercadal fairgrounds, a new location that offers a more organic and friendly space for visitors. Promoted by the Department of Economy and General Services, the fair has started with great success, attracting crowds from the early hours to enjoy an event that celebrates the gastronomic wealth of the island. The inauguration was attended by the president of the Island Council of Menorca, Adolfo Vilafranca, the Minister of Economy and General Services, Maria Antònia Taltavull and the mayor of Es Mercadal, Joan Palliser. The Balearic Government was represented by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment, Joan Simonet, and the General Director, Joan Llabrés.

During his speech, Adolfo Vilafranca stressed that “we are committed to the outdoors and we give special importance to family activities. We want everyone to know and appreciate the local products and cuisine that we have in Menorca from a young age.”

For her part, the Minister, Maria Antònia Taltavull, highlighted the fair as an essential opportunity to give visibility to Menorcan products and recognise the efforts of producers to preserve the island's gastronomic tradition.

Pep Palau, director of the fair, explained that “we are very excited about this seventh edition of Fira Arrels, which has just begun and is full of new features. The first, the new space, in the Es Mercadal Fairgrounds. The second, we launched a new format, with a catering space run by the Ca n’Aguedet school, and musical entertainment activities included. And the most important thing: the 30 local producers who participated did so loaded with new products. An edition that we are convinced will be a success.”

The inauguration was followed by the performance of Joana Pons with her guitars that have set the legend of the mountain of the Virgen del Toro to music.

Exhibitors and catering space

The Fira opened its doors at 11 in the morning, and from the first moment it received a great influx of visitors. More than 30 exhibitors of local products have offered tastings and direct sales, presenting a varied selection of Menorcan products: cheeses, sausages, mushroom burgers, ensaimadas, craft beer, mussels, wine, corn pizzas, crespells, rubiols and other delicacies made with the best local product that have captivated the palates of visitors. In addition, this year the fair has a new restaurant area offering an attractive selection of dishes, cooked and served by the Ca n’Aguedet restaurant school.

Live cooking and gastronomy activities

Around midday, the Cooking Classroom hosted one of the first major events of the day: the Gastronomic Awards Ceremony of the Association of Gastronomic Journalists and Writers of the Balearic Islands. At this ceremony, the awards were given out to recognise the culinary excellence of Menorca, Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera, highlighting the best professionals and establishments on each island. From Menorca, Sergio Villalonga, from Café Balear, was named Chef of the Year, while Restaurante Rojo, owned by Joan Bagur, received the award for Restaurant Revelation. Juan Carlos García, from La Fábrica de Farry, was awarded as Reboster/Pastisser of the Year, and Víctor Torrent, from Pincel Restaurant, was recognised as Best Head Waiter. In addition, El Paladar, by Kiko Muñoz and Pepe Moreno, has been awarded for its Professional Career, while Vicent Vila, from Es Molí de Foc, and Grahame Pearce have been awarded for their Promotion of Local Products. Calucha and Biel Sintes have been distinguished as Best Gastro Bar, and Sa Fonda de Fornells, by Jordi Pons, has received the award for Best Menorcan Cuisine Restaurant.

Afterwards, there was a tasting of Grahame Pearce's craft beers accompanied by DOP Mahón Menorca cheeses. The afternoon will continue with a series of live cooking demonstrations. At 4.30 pm, the renowned chef Miquel Calent (Restaurante Chic, Es Migjorn and Can Calent, Campos) together with Sa Sucreria will prepare the ensaimada, an emblematic dessert of Balearic gastronomy. Next, José Maria Borràs (Agroturismo Santa Mariana) will bring his interpretation of Menorcan seafood cuisine to the stage, fusing creativity and environmental responsibility. Next, chef Irene Gordillo (Agroturismo Santa Mariana) and brothers Raül and Diego Merino will cook on behalf of the 15th Menorcan Cuisine Showcase, offering a contemporary vision of tradition.

The day will end with the young chef Pau Sintes and Ruth Ortiz (chefs at Cristine Bedford, Mahón), who will host a session focused on the authenticity of Menorca's pantry, highlighting the ingredients most deeply rooted on the island.

Music and family activities

From 3pm, the Menorcan group Entonats will add a festive touch with traditional Menorcan music, boleros and rancheras, livening up the early afternoon. Family activities, a central part of the Fira, will continue at the Espai Sa Cooperativa del Camp, where children and adults can take part in workshops such as learning how to plant and cook winter garden products.

Practical information

Entry to Fira Arrels costs €3 and includes three tasting tickets that can be exchanged for tastings at the product stands. All activities are free with prior reservation at the fair's information point. Opening hours are Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

More information and programming:  firaarrels.cime.es

LIST OF PRODUCERS FIRA ARRELS 2024

– BOLETS DE MENORCA – SA CUINA DE SA SINIA
– SAL DE MENORCA
– SA CROQUETERA DE MENORCA
– SA SUCRERIA
– ES MOLÍ DE BAIX
– LA MARCONA
– LA FABRICA DE FARRY
– INFUSIONS DE MENORCA – TES DE MARINA – MARC MOLL
– ISAFRA MENORCA
– PRODUCTES ECOLÓGICS ES CAPELL DE FERRO
– FORMATGES TORRE TRENCADETA
– FORMATGES ES TONEDOR
– S’ARANGÍ
– BINIGARBA
– FORMATGES CM
– ALCOTX
– SANT JOAN DE BINISSAIDA
– MORVEDRA
– FINCA SANTA CATALINA
– BODEGA TORRALBA
– BODEGUES TORRALBENC
– GRAHAME PEARCE
– BOTIGA XORIGUER
– VIMENORCA
– CA N’AGUEDET
– SUPERCOFFEE
– DIRECCIÓ GENERAL DE QUALITAT AGROALIMENTÀRIA I PRODUCTE LOCAL
– LICORS MOYÀ 1980 (Mallorca)
– LICORS DOS PERELLONS (Mallorca)