Catalonia is proclaimed winner of the European Young Chef Award

The Catalan chef Marta Minoves was proclaimed winner of the European Young Chef Award, during the final held this Friday at the IPSSEOA Giovanni Falcone – Giarre Hospitality School, in Catania, Sicily. The chef prevailed over the eight participants who competed in the final, including the Minorcan Òscar Roca, who presented a special version of his “lamb stew”, which was highly appreciated by the jury.

The representatives of Saimaa, Jasmin Kärkkäinen, and Sicily, Rosaria Grassa, completed the podium, in a competition marked by the high level of all the participants. The love and dedication towards the local products of each Gastronomic Region took center stage, making the jury's task difficult.

Minoves, representative of the Catalonia World Region of Gastronomy, won with a dish known as “Fonda Tor”, highlighted by the jury for its explosion of flavors and adaptation of a traditional recipe.

On the other hand, Òscar Roca presented his “lamb stew”, perfected over months with the mentorship of Sílvia Anglada and Toni Tarragó, chefs at Es Tast de na Sílvia. In addition, it had the support of Joan Pons, from Torralbet, who provided the lamb, and other local collaborators, such as Sal de Menorca, Oli de Morvedra and the Gran Clos Chardonnay wine from Finca Santa Catalina.

Roca's participation also included Uniformes Menorca, which provided the screen-printed jackets, and Es Fangueti, which provided the crockery. Other notable collaborators were Enara, the only shepherdess in Menorca; Sílvia Vivó, illustrator, and several local farms, which provided organic vegetables, Menorcan eggs and other traditional products.