Michelin Gala Ceremony In Valencia: The Stars Come Out

Our city continues to cement its reputation as a foodie destination after hosting the Michelin Gala Ceremony in Valencia. It took place at the iconic Palau de les Arts last night. Organisers honoured six more Valencia restaurants in the new Michelin Guide. Daniel Hazelhoff reports…

In recent years, the pandemic has ravaged the hospitality sector throughout Europe, and the rest of the world. Valencian gastronomy has taken a significant hit. Through dedication and prowess, however, certain elements of Valencia gastronomy have risen above these struggles. And have made important advances to promote La Comunidad de Valencia’s international gastronomic influence. 

And this was acknowledged last night when Michelin Guide hosted a gala ceremony in Valencia. It was for the presentation of the Michelin Guide 2022 for Spain and Portugal in El Palau de Les Arts, Ciudad de Artes y Ciencias. 

Restaurateurs have access to fresh local products on the doorstep at the Mercat Central (Central Market). And other neighbourhood markets such as those in Ruzafa, El Cabanyal, and Torrefiel. 

La Huerta y El Mar

Valencia’s proximity to “la Huerta y el Mar,” the farmland surrounding Valencia and the sea, says deputy mayor of Valencia Sandra Gómez, provides chefs with a fantastic opportunity to embrace the fresh products of our region. 

These past two years have presented an unpredictable stage of obstacles and difficulties for the hospitality sector, says Gómez. This brings crucial recognition into the frame. The resilience and perseverance of Valencian restaurateurs are notable, and the fact that many have been able to pull through shows intense character, she says. 

“The whole sector has been through a very complicated time, where self-esteem was at an all-time low,” says Gómez, also councillor for urban development. 

This motivated frame of mind, refocus and awareness of our gastronomic excellence has brought recognition to the Valencia Community, now home to six new Michelin-starred restaurants. The new restaurants that boast the Michelin honour include; 

• Vicky Sevilla Vázquez’s restaurant Arrels, in Sagunto
• Germán Carrizo and Carlito Lourenços restaurant, Fierro, in Valencia
• María Jose Martínez’s restaurant, Lienzo, in Valencia
• Yoshikazu Yanome’s restaurant, Kaido Sushi Bar, in Valencia

In Castellón the Michelin guide has recognized;

• Emmanuel Carlucci and Alejandra Herrador’s restaurant Atalaya, in Alcossebre

In Alicante;

• José Manuel López’s restaurant, Peix i Brases,  in Dénia

All of these accolades aside, however, four restaurants have seen their Michelin Stars retracted. Monastrell in Alicante, Orobianco in calp, Sents in Ontinyent, and Manuel Alonso in Daimús. 

It is important to note that Quique Dacosta, Valencia’s only triple Michelin Star chef, will preserve recognition for his restaurant in Dénia, El Poblet, Bon Amb in Javea and L’ Escaleta in Cocentaina. The same stands for Ricard Camarena’s eponymous Ricard Camarena. 

El Paseo de Estrellas

Visit Valencia’s organised event El Paseo de Estrellas was held at the bustling entrance of Valencia’s Mercado Central on Monday. There one can find the new Paseo De Estrellas, Valencia’s recent homage to its gastronomic prowess in the eyes of cuisine giant Michelin. The Mercado Central’s main walkway displays the names of renowned chefs, and local heroes, Loles Salvador, Juan Carlos Galbis, Óscar Torrijos, Vicente Aleixandre, Alejandro del Toro, Ricard Camarena, Jorge Andrés, Bernd Knöller, Luis Valls, Miguel Ángel Mayor, and Begoña Rodrigo of La Salita. 

And on Monday  13, Valencia’s Michelin star chefs were applauded during an event held by Sandra Gómez, and Emiliano García, director of tourism for the Ayuntamiento, the city council, and owner of the well-regarded Casa Montaña restaurant in Cabanyal. They paid special homage to chef Loles Salvador. He remains one of the most influential and recognised chefs on the Valencia restaurant scene.

In 1981 Loles Salvador earned Valencia’s first Michelin star. It was “a brilliant personal monument that put our city on the gastronomical map,” says García.

“We can’t understand Valencian gastronomy without talking about Loles Salvador,” says Gómez. “And we can’t understand her work if we venture far from Valencian products.”

And she adds, “It has to be now, when Valencia gastronomy dresses up for a gala, that we recognise this ‘family’. It will always be ‘the mother of Valencian cuisine’.” 

All said and done, the chefs of Valencia bring the city international recognition. Recognition worthy of the most refined of palates.

Here’s to raising our glasses and developing deeper flavours into Valencia’s growing portfolio.