This year’s TaPalma event – a celebration of tapas and cocktails in the Mallorcan capital of Palma – starts this Wednesday, November 15th and continues until Sunday, 19th. Later than usual (it’s previously been in October), it also covers outlying areas of Palma, and the contest to find the best tapa (Concurso TaPalma) and cocktail is being held separately today at the University’s hotel school.
TaPalma 2017
Here’s a quick look at the routes in and around Palma covered by this year’s event, with number of participating establishments shown in brackets:
- City centre (9)
- New Mercat 1930 (10)
- Paseo Marítimo (7)
- Santa Catalina (4)
- Génova (2)
- Marratxí (1)
- Playa de Palma(2)
Find out which places are taking part and what they are offering here.
Best pinchos and tapas chef in Spain: Igor Rodríguez
It’s official: the Mallorca-based chef Igor Rodríguez has won the 13th Concurso Nacional de Pinchos y Tapas Ciudad de Vallodolid – the national pinchos and tapas competition, which took place in Valladolid last week.
The new champion’s winning creation was ensaïmada de cangrejo de río – a small ensaïmada stuffed with crayfish and tomato. One of 48 competing chefs, Igor combined traditional culinary elements of Mallorca (ensaïmada) and Castilla & Leon (crayfish stew). As a result of winning this competition, Igor will represent Spain next year in the 2nd World Tapas Championship.
It’s a winner! Photo provided by Aina Solano
Igor, who hails from San Sebastian but has lived in Mallorca for 20 years, has a reputation for his creative tapas. He won the annual competition to find the best tapa offered at TaPalma in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015; he won the silver award in 2011, and bronze in 2014. Since last year, he’s been president of the competition’s judging panel.
Igor is the champion! Photo courtesy of Aina Solano
Igor Rodríguez has worked at several well-known restaurants in Mallorca and is now at the stoves of Ham, a restaurant in the Port of Sóller. Here I must admit that I haven’t yet visited this restaurant but…it’s on the list.
Other foodie events this coming weekend
As well as TaPalma over the weekend there are two events taking place outside Palma. On Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th, it’s the Olive Fair in the village of Caimari and on Sunday, the Honey Fair in the small village of Llubí. Sounds like a delicious weekend for us foodies!
©Jan Edwards 2017
