The 7th edition of the Fira Arrels closes and reaffirms itself as an essential event for local products

The 7th edition of the Fira Arrels has concluded today, reaffirming itself once again as the reference event for the promotion of local products and Menorcan cuisine. During the weekend, more than 4,000 people have visited the fair, discovering and enjoying a rich offer of local products, tastings and gastronomic activities. This Sunday, the queue to enter has been constant, evidencing the growing interest of the public.

Maria Antònia Taltavull, Minister of Economy and General Services of the Island Council, has expressed her satisfaction with the new format of the Fira Arrels, highlighting that “it has been a resounding success, reflected in the high level of satisfaction of both the producers, who have achieved a good level of sales, and the public, who were very happy with the experience. The entire organisation team is very satisfied with the results obtained.”

The director of the fair, Pep Palau, has highlighted that Arrels acts as a platform that encourages cohesion and cooperation between producers, “which translates into high-quality commercial products. Throughout the seven editions, many producers have established direct collaborations, and we have been able to confirm that this dynamic is still alive among the participants of the fair.”

The more than 30 exhibitors also highlighted the large number of visitors and the interest in local products and Menorcan gastronomy. In addition to direct sales, producers have offered tastings. Among the outstanding proposals, visitors were able to try mushroom and shrimp burgers, a tasty brioche with flamenco carbonade cooked with craft beer, a toast of crystal bread with roasted pepper and sausage, or a mini bamba cake with cheese, nuts and Menorcan honey. There was also a wide selection of traditional Menorcan products, such as pastries, flaons, cheeses, rubiols or sobrasada canes. As for drinks, visitors were able to try wild olive and sea fennel and lemon infusions, a selection of local wines, beer, pomada and other snacks.

This year the fair also had a catering space run by the Ca n’Aguedet catering school, which cooked some traditional dishes such as oligua with figs, local rice or potato fat.

Cooking demonstrations and workshops
The Cooking Classroom has been one of the most dynamic spaces, all the sessions have been filled with live demonstrations by prestigious chefs and workshops that have aroused the interest of adults and children. Towards midday, the activities of the Fira Arrels have started with great intensity and success of participation. At 12:00, Catalina Pons and Tomeu Cañellas, from the restaurant El Fogons de Plaza (Bunyola, Mallorca), have presented “A few islands of rice” with a delicious coalfish rice, which has attracted a large number of attendees interested in this traditional gastronomic proposal from Bunyola.

Shortly afterwards, at 13:30, the session “The landscape on the plate: flavours and values ??of Agrarian Custody” has taken place by the GOB, with a guided tasting that has combined local products with the presentation of the Agrarian Custody programme, giving value to sustainability and respect for the Menorcan territory.

In the afternoon, at 4.45pm, wine lovers were able to enjoy the guided tasting "Menorcan wines: genuine and excellent", where wines from different wineries of the Vi Menorca Association were presented, highlighting the quality and authenticity of Menorcan wines.

Later, at 6pm, Daniel Poleo from Bonita Menorca and Cicerón Mercadal from Setas de Menorca led a demonstration on the use of mushrooms in cooking. Finally, at 7pm, the "Vegetable Universe" activity closed the day with chef Andrés Benítez, from the Botánico restaurant at the Hotel Can Bordoy (Palma) with a presentation that revolved around the concept of "plantforward" which consists of giving prominence to plant products without avoiding animal protein.

Family activities and live concert
Family activities were organised by the Cooperativa del Camp, offering the little ones a space where they could enjoy a baking workshop and a universal children's game: playing shopping and cooking. In addition, at 3:00 p.m., Joana Pons, with her guitars, attracted a crowd of people in a friendly and welcoming concert, which gave a touch of joy and good atmosphere to the afternoon at the Fira Arrels.