Madrid, Spain, July 04, 2013 - The aim of this event is to raise the profile of pure Spanish acorn-fed ham as one of the most exquisite delicacies in the country’s gastronomy.

According to Spanish news agency EFE, the contenders in this contest will be students from 12 hotel and catering schools around the world, including the Institut Paul Bocuse in France, Le Cordon Bleu in Miami (United States), the University of West London (United Kingdom), the Ragout School (Russia) and the Hoffman School in Spain.

The competition, called the Cinco Jotas International Tapas Award, is organised by Cinco Jotas, a ham-making company based in Jabugo (Huelva).

The panel of judges is headed by Pedro Subijana, a chef from San Sebastián who has been awarded three Michelin stars. In a press release, he said the contest “will be looking for talent and creativity in preparing haute cuisine on a small scale”. The winner will win an internship in the San Sebastián restaurant Akelarre, which is headed by Subijana himself. The winning student’s school will also receive prize money.

Tapas promotion also took place at another event in London in mid-June. The annual 'Tapas Fantásticas' festival brought together wine from La Rioja and tapas from some of the most renowned Spanish restaurants in the British capital. The event was attended by 42 La Rioja wineries and around 15,000 consumers, who had the chance to enjoy Spanish music, cookery workshops and guided tastings.

Press Contact:
Marca Espana
Media Relations
Marca Espana
Serrano Galvache, 26 28033 Madrid, Espana.
512-212-1139
[email protected]
http://marcaespana.es