The island of Menorca is celebrating its European Region of Gastronomy 2022 title, a distinction granted at the end of 2019 by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT), with an extensive programme of foodie events for visitors to enjoy.
The programme, announced by the Menorca Tourist Board, aims to promote the benefits and use of local produce and ingredients made by small agri-food companies as well as catering businesses. There will be fairs dedicated to Mahón-Menorca cheese; Menorcan Wine tasting days, and an exciting national chef competition in addition to workshops and guided tours.
The activity schedule for 2022 will also provide an insight into future projects aiming to promote innovation and the inclusion and dissemination of culture through gastronomy.
MAY
The museum of Menorca will open an exhibition centred on gastronomy, as well as offering visitors the opportunity to participate in culinary heritage activities. In addition, visitors can look forward to working their way through the tapas and food trucks at a fair put on by the City Council of Castell. The exciting tapas contest and tasting event, “Tapas per Menorca” will make its return to several bars around the island, held by the Business Association of the Restoration of Menorcan Gastronomy. Those with green fingers will enjoy Alaior’s Gastronomic Floral Days, when the town will become adorned with food-inspired floral displays while it offers tapas tasting itineraries.
JUNE
One of the highlights of the European Region of Gastronomy programme will be “Menorca en el plato” (Menorca on the plate), taking place for ten consecutive nights before the Fiestas of Sant Juan on 23 June. Establishments which form part of the Menorcan Association of Cafes, Bars and Restaurants will offer visitors special menus at a set price to highlight local produce, including tasty traditional dishes and desserts.
Discover more about the food of the island when Mark Bibby Jackson discovered the Gastronomic Delight on Menorca Holidays.
SEPTEMBER
As Autumn approaches, a new edition of the eagerly-anticipated 10-day event “Mostra de Cuina Menorquina” (Menorcan Cuisine Fair) will be held, hosted by the Business Association of Hotels and Restaurants of Menorca. A wide selection of the island’s restaurants will participate in this Cuisine Fair, which will showcase both traditional and innovative recipes prepared with local and seasonal ingredients.
OCTOBER
An interactive Artisan Fair at Plaça Espanya will be held by Ferreries Council, hosting a variety of gastronomy-related stalls as well as hands-on workshops, music performances and local arts and crafts demonstrations. The city of Mahón, which is part of the European Cheese Route, will bring to life the very first Menorca-Mahón Cheese Fair in order to celebrate this Denomination of Origin delicacy. Down in Sant Lluís, show cooking displays will take place as part of their Gastronomic Days – bound to be a treat for the eyes as well as the tastebuds.
NOVEMBER
Bringing Menorca’s Gastronomy programme to a close are the exciting Tasta Maó tapas contest, which will spotlight delicious local produce, and Ferreries’ Month of Wild Mushrooms, during which mushroom-picking excursions and popular paella lunches will take place every weekend of the month.
For a full schedule including dates, please see https://menorcaregiongastronomica.com/en/events/. Main image Black and normal sausages at Son Vives.
