The Arrels Fair takes place this weekend showcasing the best local products

The Es Mercadal Fairgrounds host a new edition open to everyone: this year tapas have a single affordable price, fishermen take part for the first time, and emerging chefs are given the spotlight.

The Es Mercadal Fairgrounds will be the epicenter of local products and Menorcan gastronomy this weekend with the celebration of the Arrels Fair, organized by the Consell Insular de Menorca. The event will be held on September 20 and 21, outdoors and with activities for all ages, with a special focus on families.

The President of the Consell Insular de Menorca, Adolfo Vilafranca, and the Councillor for Economy and General Services of Menorca, Maria Antònia Taltavull, presented all the new features on Tuesday, September 16, at El Toro. The Mayor of Es Mercadal, Joan Palliser, and the fair’s organizer, Carme Barceló, also attended the press conference.

The main novelty this year is that admission to the Arrels Fair is free and open to everyone.

“We want the fair to be accessible and open to all, so that all Menorcans can enjoy and taste tapas made with local products from Menorca. That’s why we have set a single popular price of 3 euros, ensuring the experience is affordable for everyone. This year, for the first time, fishermen are directly participating in the fair, showing its continuous growth. In this way, we bring together the richness of Menorcan products, from the sea to the countryside,” explained Adolfo Vilafranca.

In total, there will be 42 exhibitors making up the fair under the motto: “The Flavours of Menorca”. “With this phrase we want to convey the union of our gastronomy and the products of Menorca that define us so much. This year marks the eighth edition of the Arrels Fair, an event that has become an unmissable date on the Menorcan calendar. A fair that grows every year in ambition and in its ability to showcase the full variety of Menorcan products. After last year’s success, we are once again holding it in Es Mercadal,” Vilafranca detailed.

“I would like to thank the producers of Menorca, who are the true protagonists of Arrels. And the chefs, who combine tradition with innovation to keep Menorcan gastronomy alive and thriving. The Arrels Fair is, at the same time, a tribute. A recognition of all the people who, day after day, with great effort, keep alive a very important part of our economy and our identity,” added the president.

Visitors will be able to stroll among the stands to taste and buy sausages, vegetables, cheeses, meat, mushrooms, pastries, beer, oil, and honey, among other items. In addition, there will be a dedicated space offering a wide selection of Menorcan wines under the IGP Vi de la Terra Illa de Menorca label, as well as the chance to try fried fish, an iconic and much-loved dish of Menorcan cuisine.

“This is an environment designed for families, with gastronomic activities and workshops adapted so that children can also take part and discover cooking in a fun and educational way. There will also be a showcooking program giving a voice to all sectors, which this year will feature a diverse representation of our island along with special guests from neighbouring islands. Above all, we are also giving priority to the new generations of Menorcan chefs, who are the future of our gastronomy,” explained Maria Antònia Taltavull.

Menorca’s products and identity

One of the defining features of the Arrels Fair is that in the same space visitors can find the three great pillars of Menorca’s identity. On the one hand, the countryside, offering unique products such as chamomile and honey, symbols of Menorcan culture and its connection with nature. On the other hand, the sea, which nourishes and which this year has a special role with fried fish and showcookings focused on seafood. Finally, the land and traditions, which tell the island’s story and provide some of its most valued products. All three realms will be transformed into dishes in this weekend’s showcookings.

Program

The Arrels Fair will kick off on Saturday, September 20, at 11:15 am, with an opening event accompanied by live music from Joana Pons and Ses Guitarres. Shortly afterwards, at 12:00 pm, the first gastronomic demonstration will take place by Federico Giomi, from Restaurant Coral, who will prepare a chocolate cream with Al Parico oil. At 1:00 pm, Manolo Barahona will do a cooking demonstration of salt-baked fish, and at 2:00 pm, José Bosch and Pablo Pega will present a tasting from the Mostra de Cuina Menorquina.

In the afternoon, at 4:00 pm, there will be a Menorcan chamomile tasting with Marc Moll, Pere Pons, Juan Carlos Garcia, and chef Sílvia Anglada.

At 5:00 pm, the 2025 Menorcan Gastronomy Awards will be held, organized by Foodies on Menorca with the collaboration of Fra Roger, the Association of Gastronomic Journalists and Writers of the Balearic Islands, Restauració Menorca, the Association of Cafés, Bars and Restaurants of Pime Menorca, Ascaib, and Cómete Menorca.

One hour later, at 6:00 pm, a tasting will be offered featuring various Menorcan products such as cheeses, wines, jams, and sausages, led by Àngel Luis López and Francisco de Asís. The day will end with performances by Binigaus Band (7:00 pm) and Entonats (8:30 pm).

On Sunday, two top-level chefs, Miquel Calent (11:00 am) and Santi Taura (12:00 pm), will give cooking demonstrations of apricot “banyetes” with Mahón cheese and the cuisine of Menorcan manor houses, respectively. At 2:00 pm, Tomeu Penya will provide live music for the fair, and at 3:00 and 4:00 pm, young chefs Joan Taltavull and Rubio Kitchen will present demonstrations of conger panadera and ensaïmadas with figs, respectively. The fair will conclude with tastings of organic and local products at 5:00 pm.

For the little ones, there will also be various entertainments throughout both days, such as traditional games, storytelling, play areas, face painting, and gymkhanas.

More information

Saturday’s opening hours will be from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, and Sunday from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm. You can find the full Arrels Fair program, with information on all the gastronomic demonstrations, at: https://firaarrels.cime.es/ca/