The Gastronomic Forum Barcelona closes its edition with the visit of nearly 18,000 professionals

The Gastronomic Forum Barcelona closed its edition this Wednesday with the visit of nearly 18,000 professionals, according to the figures provided by the organizers of the event. The show was attended by more than 350 exhibiting companies from all areas of the restaurant sector. Apart from the novelties and innovations presented by the different companies present, there were also a hundred presentations, 'showcookings' and debates around the restaurant of the future. More than 130 chefs and professionals in the sector have participated. The promoters of the contest emphasize that, among all the chefs, we had 42 Michelin stars, with names such as Joan Roca, Oriol Castro or Eduard Xatruch at the top.

The program addressed current issues in the hospitality industry such as work-life balance, the commitment to a sustainable restaurant model and the application of new technologies. The discourse most committed to this commitment to the future has been the one led by the so-called Generation 90, chefs under the age of 35 who have presented their culinary ideas and future business plans at the salon.

The event also revealed this afternoon the winner of the Barcelona Gastronomic Forum Chef Award 2024, in collaboration with 'La Vanguardia', which recognized the tandem formed by Beatrice Casella and Iván García from the Glug restaurant (Barcelona) as the best chefs emerging from among a group of six finalists.

In addition, The Baker Award for the best baker in the State has gone to Georgina Reinares from the Barrihuelo bakery, in Elciego (Álava), and pastry chefs Toni Vera (Mervier Canal) and Felip de Santa Creu (Madeleine by Ferrieres) have have been the winners of the Best Artisan Panettone of Spain 2024 competition, organized by the Barcelona Patisserie Guild on the occasion of the show.

Finally, in solidarity with those affected by the drought in Valencia and other areas of the country, the exhibiting companies have donated more than 2,000 kilos of surplus food from the show. The Food Bank Foundation, present at the show as in previous editions, will classify the food and deliver it to the Food Banks in the affected areas depending on the needs and the evolution of the emergency.