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November 6 to 8 Gastromar food and drink festival in Los Alcázares
A host of appetizing experiences at the annual gastro festival in the centre of Los Alcázares
The annual Gastromar foodies’ festival in Los Alcázares, which is usually held shortly after the local holiday commemorating municipal independence on 13th October, is this year being held from 6th to 8th November after a postponement due to an adverse weather forecast, with tickets for workshops and special events becoming available online here.
Taking part this year are 22 restaurants, plus 16 stands in the gourmet market, and there are a wide range of tastings, workshops and other gastronomic treats as well as music and sundry activities for all the family in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez and the rest of the town centre.
Leading the way is Edu Torres, of Molino Roca, who has been named the Ambassador Chef of the event, and he will be presenting his rice workshop on the Saturday as a number of chefs gather in Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez: this event is free of charge.
Another highlight is on the Friday, when Michelin- and Repsol-starred chefs are joined by the wines of Bodega Juan Gil, also in Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.
At the stands present the range of food available is in many cases highly representative of the Region of Murcia, with wine, cheeses, honey, salted and cured fish, rice and octopus all prominent, although there is also an international flavour with sushi and other dishes.
At the same time, the action is not limited to the centre of Los Alcázares: there are boat trips on the Mar Menor and other events at the Aeronautical Museum, the Balneario de la Encarnación, Torre del Rame, Atrio del Mar and the Club Náutico.
However, the hub of the event for most people is the gourmet market and the Saborea Los Alcázares stage, where music is played and Los Happys are giving the final concert on Sunday evening.
The events scheduled for the three days include the following:
Friday November 6
17.30: Pequeños Maerstros del Chocolate, a fun activity for children involving chocolate in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez. No prior registration is needed.
19.00: The Gourmet market opens.
20.00: The official opening of the Saborea Los Alcázares area.
20.30: A boat trip including wine and cured/salted fish products provided by Bodega Madrid Romero and Salazones Garre. Registration 10 euros, 40 places available. The boat sets out from the La Pescadería jetty.
20.30: "La tabla perfecta” at the Museo Aeronáutico, a chance to learn how to prepare the perfect cheese plate with help from Quesos Ruperto. Registration costs 15 euros and is open to only 20 people.
21.00: Wine tasting and cooking offered by Bodega Juan Gil in Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez, while Edu Torres and other prestigious chefs create some of their specialities. “8 Magníficos + Juan Gil” is open to up to 100 people with tickets costing 25 euros.
21.00: Wine tasting at Restaurante Torre del Rame, “Un brindis frente a La Torre” with wines from Bodega Monastrell. Registration costs 25 euros and is open to a maximum of 50 people.
23.30: Filiu perform live on stage in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.
Saturday November 7
11.00 to 14.00: Pequechef, a free children’s cooking activity outside the Town Hall, open to up to 80 youngsters. Although there is no charge prior registration is required.
11.30: The Gourmet market opens.
12.00: “El arroz se vuelve clandestino”, Edu Torres returns to the stage in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento to show his preparation of rice dishes along with other top chefs. This free event requires no prior registration.
12.00: Another boat trip on the Mar Menor, this time with “vermút” on board, leaving from the La Pescadería jetty. Maximum 40 people, price 10 euros.
12.30 to 16.00: Tapas are served in Plaza Real de la Feria.
16.30 to 18.00: Asiático coffee and Mini Gintonic Royal Bliss on the Saborea stage. Maximum 45 people.
17.00: Pequechef returns for children in the Paseo Real de la Feria, open to 80up to youngsters. Although there is no charge prior registration is required.
18.30: Tuna cutting demonstration sponsored by Ricardo Fuentes in Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez. The event is free of charge and no prior registration is required.
19.30: A fund-raising opportunity to taste the T-bone steaks prepared by La Tropical at the Saborea stage. La Tropical has just been awarded its second victory at the “Best Grill in Spain” awards! Just 3 euros per portion, no registration required.
20.00: Tapas are served in Plaza Real de la Feria.
20.30: Taste the cheeses produced by La Yerbera at the Balneario de la Encarnación, Price 10 euros, available for up to 50 people.
20.30: Honey tasting with Guatazales at the Museo Aeronáutico, a surprisingly varied selection! Price 20 euros, open to up to 20 people.
20.30: An evening boat trip on the Mar Menor with beers provided by Estrella de Levante, registration 10 euros, open to up to 40 people. Starts at the La Pescadería jetty.
21.00: The Universe of Wine with Zamora Company in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, with snacks provided by the restaurants taking part in Gastromar. Price 20 euros, open to up to 100 people.
21.30: An evening of music begins on teh Saborea stage, featuring Radar Indie at 23.30.
Sunday November 8
9.00: A sweet breakfast at Hotel Atrio del Mar, with chocolate buns from Panadería José Antonio. Free of charge, open to up to 120 people.
11.00 to 14.00: Charity ham slicing and tasting to raise funds for Afal Levante in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.
11.30: The Gourmet market opens.
11.30: The experts explain the secrets of the perfect croqueta on the Saborea stage, "El secreto está dentro”. Maximum 45 people. Free of charge.
12.30: Wine experience, “Entre mar y tierra, sabores con duende” with chef Cayetano Gomez and music from Rayito Barrús. Price 25 euros, open to up to 60 people.
12.00: A culinary voyage to Thailand and Vietnam with Espacio Umami at the Hotel Atrio del Mar. Price 15 euros, open to up to 20 people.
12.00: Boat trip on the Mar Menor with beers provided by Estrella de Levante. Price 10 euros, open to up to 40 people, leaving from the La Pescadería jetty.
12.30: Octopus is served on the Saborea stage, prepared in various different ways. No prior registration is required. Free of charge.
12.30: “Entre mar y tierra, sabores con duende” at the Balneario de la Encarnación, featuring wines of the Marco de Jerez and accompanying snacks prepared by chef Cayetano Gómez. Price 25 euros, maximum 60 people.
12.30: Sushi masterclass with tastings, sponsored by Ricardo Fuentes and Bodegas Maquiavelo at Armonía Beach - Club Náutico Los Alcázares. Price 15 euros, available to up to 70 people.
12.30 to 16.00: Tapas are served in Plaza Real de la Feria.
17.00: Los Happys perform live on the Saborea stage.
Images: www.gastromarlosalcazares.com
For more local information in English, including news, what’s on and visiting advice, contact the tourist offices in Los Alcázares (main telephone number 968 575756) or go to the home page of Los Alcázares Today.
Address
Avenida 13 de Octubre, 12, Los AlcazaresTel: 968 575756
Information for residents and visitors in Los Alcázares and Los Narejos
Despite being a relatively small municipality Los Alcázares relies to such a large extent on year-round tourism that it operates two tourist information offices, one in the town itself and the other in the seafront district of Los Narejos.
The fully qualified staff at both offices strive to provide you with all the information you need to make the most of your time in Los Alcázares, recommending places to visit, things to do and upcoming events in the area as well as practical help. The multitude of leaflets on offer will help you to fully enjoy the Costa Cálida and the Mar Menor!
Contact details:
Los Alcázares office
Avenida Trece de Octubre, 8, 30710 Los Alcázares, Murcia (click for map)
Open year-round weekdays 9.00 to 14.00.
Additional opening hours in summer during the afternoon, weekdays 17.00 to 19.00 and on Saturday and Sunday mornings 10.00 to 13.00.
Telephone: 968 575756
Email: turismo@losalcazares.es
Los Narejos office
Avenida Cartagena, esquina Calle Piscis (click for map)
Open on weekdays 9.00 to 14.00 throughout the year.
Telephone: 968 582119
Email: turismolosnarejos@losalcazares.es
