The foundation of what has become the “new Spanish cuisine” movement was effectively laid during a gastronomy roundtable convened by the Grupo Gourmets in 1976. In subsequent years, Spain’s hotel and restaurant industry worked hard to position the country’s cuisine as one of its key international assets. In 1987, the Salón de Gourmets was founded in Madrid “with the aim of becoming the showcase of food and beverages delicatessen products, in order to promote its differential values: quality, variety and professionalism”. The fair was formally granted “international” status five years later, and in 2007 it was named a full partner of The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). Today, the Salón is the only international trade fair in Europe specialising in gourmet products, highlighted by Spain’s signature gastronomic products – wines, olive oil, preserves, ham, cheese, confectionery, charcuterie and liquors – but also including a diverse range of other delicatessen delicacies, such as non-alcoholic drinks, smoked foods, pulses, pasta and caviar.
This year’s 29th edition was hailed as demonstrating a “sign of recovery”, after
it welcomed 1,422 exhibitors (22.1 per cent more than in 2014, with non-Spanish
displays increasing by 50 per cent) displaying 35,000 products. A total of 84,117
industry professionals visited the fair (5.2 per cent up on last year), attracted by the
classics in Spanish and international gastronomy, as well as latest product trends.
In addition to checking out the exhibits, visitors were able to take part in different
300 activities, including tastings, show cookings, demonstrations, competitions
(such as the Spanish oyster shell opening championship) and other
special presentations.
Photos supplied courtesy of Salón de Gourmets: www.gourmets.net
