Ferran Adrià, René Redzepi and Yoshihiro Narisawa to lead Gastronomika’s 25th anniversary edition

This October marks a significant milestone for the culinary world, as San Sebastian Gastronomika Euskadi Basque Country commemorates its 25^th anniversary. For a quarter-century, this premier event has stood at the forefront of the world’s most transformative culinary movements, from the intricacies of molecular cuisine to the pristine purity of the new Nordic.

The celebration will be held at the Kursaal Congress Centre from 9^th to 11^th October, drawing an ensemble of culinary maestros who have graced the event over the past two and a half decades. The festivities won’t just be a nod to the past but also a look to the future, showcasing those ascending talents charting innovative culinary paths. Notably, Japanese and US cuisines promise to be the amongst the highlights of the event.

A line-up that befits this silver anniversary, the roster of speakers and demonstrators is nothing short of star-studded. Confirmed attendees include international stalwarts like Rasmus Munk and René Redzepi from Denmark, José Andrés from the US, Leonor Espinosa from Colombia, Alex Atala from Brazil, Yoshihiro Narisawa from Japan and Matthew Lightner from the US. Spain’s own culinary champions will be in full force too, with celebrated chefs like Ángel León, Joan Roca, Eneko Atxa, Elena Arzak, Pedro Subijana, Ricard Camarena, Quique Dacosta, Diego Guerrero and Albert Adrià gracing the occasion.

Revisiting the 25-year odyssey, the anniversary is more than just a reflection on past accomplishments. It’s a recognition of the role San Sebastian Gastronomika has played in shaping the narrative of global cuisine. Its legacy is interwoven with ground-breaking culinary trends, game-changing “terroir” developments, and impactful sustainability initiatives. The reverberations from Donostia, where it all began, continue to influence and shape the gastronomic future we inhabit today.

In line with this landmark celebration, three illustrious figures will be honoured for their invaluable contributions to the gastronomic world. The Homage Award will be bestowed upon Ferran Adrià, a chef whose trailblazing efforts ushered in a gastronomic revolution. His monumental shift from world-class culinary creation to research has made him not just a renowned chef but a luminary in universal culture.

The esteemed Gueridón de Oro will be awarded to Jancis Robinson, who has been the beacon of the wine industry for over four decades. Robinson, celebrated for her seminal works such as The Oxford Companion to Wine, The World Atlas of Wine and Wine Grapes, has broken barriers by being the first woman to achieve the Master of Wine title without direct industry involvement. Her stature in the wine community has been further cemented with accolades from Decanter magazine, heralding her as the globe’s most respected wine critic and journalist.

Lastly, the Pau Alborná y Torras Journalism Award will honour Rafael García Santos. Beyond authoring a myriad of books, García Santos has been an influential gastronomy critic and a pioneer of gastronomy congresses in Spain, spearheading the promotion of culinary endeavours.

With an unwavering commitment to fostering global gastronomic excellence, the event continues its tradition of showcasing emerging trends and pioneering an innovative format resonating with contemporary culinary aspirations. Plans for the anniversary are ambitious, featuring a revamped congress map designed to dissect and discuss the myriad culinary revolutions of the past 25 years.

Food Desk

The 25^th edition of San Sebastian Gastronomika is taking place from 9^th until 11^th October 2023. For those passionate about being a part of this culinary landmark, registrations are now open on the congress website here.