CATALONIA SHOWCASES ITS GASTRONOMIC CULTURE AND UNIQUE PRODUCE IN THE HEART OF LONDON

Prodeca, Catalonia's public body devoted to promoting Catalan agri-food products worldwide, hosted the Catalan Food Showcase on Wednesday 29 November. The event was a celebration of the region’s rich gastronomic tradition and took place in the heart of London, with Catalan products available for purchase in the UK. The immersive evening included a live cooking show as well as olive oil, chocolate and wine workshops, all guided by local product experts.

A gastronomic powerhouse, Catalonia has deeply rooted culinary traditions with a wide variety and quality of produce. The innovative creativity of its top restaurants has made it the region of Spain with the most Michelin stars. Additionally, Catalonia has recently been awarded the World’s Gastronomic Region in 2025, becoming the first region to do so.

Among the criteria considered by the judges was the dedication of the people in the sector including their commitment to progressing in the industry. The World Region of Gastronomy is an initiative promoted by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts, and Tourism (IGCAT). The region is home to some of the most renowned chefs in the world like Ferran Adrià and Joan Roca. Two Catalan Restaurants (elBulli*** and Celler de Can Roca***) have ranked number one in several occasions at the prestigious British list of the 50 Best Restaurants. Currently, restaurant Disfrutar*** in Barcelona, which won its third Michelin star this week, has been named Best Restaurant in Europe, and ranks number 2 in the global list. Overall, Catalonia has a multitude of first-class restaurants, 54 of them with Michelin stars, including coastal and rural restaurants, ranging from traditional to fine-dining cuisine.

Furthermore, there are five restaurants in Catalonia with the maximum distinction of three Michelin stars: Ábac, El Celler de Can Roca, Lasarte, Disfrutar and Cocina Hermanos Torres. The judging panel also emphasised the region’s landscapes as a testament to its commitment to quality, sustainability, tradition and innovation. This recognition confirms Catalonia’s ground-breaking tourism model, where the gastronomic revolution goes beyond restaurants, showcasing the region’s unique culture and local products.

The Catalan agri-food sector plays a strategic role in the region’s present and future economy. It accounts for 22% of the value of Spain’s exports, is home to 26% of companies that export regularly and represents 14% of Catalonia’s GDP. Catalonia is therefore one of the leading agri-food clusters in Europe, with value-added products, local production of a wide range of high-quality foods and drinks, high food safety standards, and the capacity for innovation.

With one of the highest health rates in the world, Catalonia has been the epicentre of the Mediterranean diet for centuries. Its cuisine, which has been recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is so distinctive that it is home to one of the oldest culinary manuscripts in Europe, Llibre de Sent Soví (1314) and is considered one of the healthiest and most sustainable diets in the world, protecting landscapes and having a low environmental footprint.

From pure olive oils to unique cured meats, Catalonia produces a diverse and rich range of products including quality fish and seafood, meat, cereal and wine which rank among the best-quality products in the world, all of which can be enjoyed in the United Kingdom and found in specialist retailers such as Brindisa.