• Dozens of activities, workshops, tastings and cooking shows for all audiences will take place throughout the weekend
• The Fair continues tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. at Infecar, with cooking demonstrations by local chefs and Catalan chef Jordi Cruz

The Gran Canaria Me Gusta Fair opened its doors today with a large turnout. On its first morning alone, over 2,500 people discovered the island’s flavours through tastings and workshops — and thanks to the many producers and businesses showcasing their products all weekend in the wide exhibition area.

One of the fair’s main goals is “to promote connections between producers and sellers, and to bring together all zero-kilometre products with a local gastronomy that has seen significant growth in recent years,” said Antonio Morales, President of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, during the fair’s opening.

With “more producers and more municipalities than ever,” and with the presence of “all the stakeholders involved in the development of this key and strategic sector for Gran Canaria,” the fair stands as an ideal platform to raise awareness and move forward in the direction of the island’s food sovereignty. “Here lie our roots — what keeps our identity alive as an island and as a people. We must not give that up, because we cannot depend on the outside. The more we produce locally, the more resilience we have to respond to crises, especially given the isolation that comes with being an island,” said the president.

During his visit to the exhibition area, Morales expressed his hope that this year’s edition would surpass last year’s 13,000 visitors, and encouraged locals to enjoy a fair where “besides being able to buy local products at affordable prices — often directly from the producer — we are also contributing to the sustainable development of Gran Canaria’s rural areas.”

Promoted and funded by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria and organised by Infecar – Feria de Gran Canaria, this annual event, held for over a decade, is “an essential tool that we continue to develop with a committed and thriving sector, within the framework of a strong strategy to boost local gastronomy,” added the president.

A Fair in Full Swing

This morning saw a constant flow of curious visitors and food lovers, eager to attend culinary demonstrations where top chefs and pastry chefs delighted the audience with creative, flavourful proposals.

Dana Joher and José Javier Rodríguez opened the cooking stage with sweet creations inspired by the island’s produce. They were followed by a fusion cooking session led by Christian Ramírez, Domingo Juárez, and Manuel Vilariño, blending Canarian techniques and ingredients with world cuisines. The morning concluded with a surprising dish that combined Italy and Korea through a single dough, presented by Teresa Moon with the support of Panna & Pomodoro.

Meanwhile, the area dedicated to the primary sector hosted presentations and tastings to highlight emblematic products from Gran Canaria, such as honey, potatoes, and other fresh, zero-kilometre foods. Visitors also enjoyed guided tastings, samplings, and hands-on experiences featuring local meats, DOP wines, and artisanal fishing.

The first day of the fair will close this afternoon with the awards ceremony of the 19th Official Gran Canaria Honey Competition. The fair continues tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at Infecar with more cooking demos featuring chefs like Lolo Román, Adrián García, Francesca Hunt and, as the main event, Michelin-starred chef Jordi Cruz, who will offer a cooking show titled “Jordi Cruz, straight to the palate.”

In addition to the exhibition area — where 110 producers, associations, cooperatives, and 20 municipalities will display their products and creations — many local chefs will showcase their culinary skills. Representatives from the primary sector will also host activities focused on highlighting local fruits like papaya, as well as meats, wines, cheeses, and artisanal fishing in Gran Canaria. This year also features two local artisans — Mira Cerámica and Embarradarte — who will present their work at the FEDAC stand (the Island Fund for Ethnography and Handicraft Development).

Paving the Way for New Generations

A key new feature of this year’s fair is the 1st Employment and Gastronomy Forum, held today within the event. It brought together 300 students and teachers from nine educational centres, who shared ideas and aspirations with three leading professionals in the sector: chef José Luis Espino, sommelier Alba Bernal, and chef Manuel Vilariño, who all shared their professional journeys with the students.

Organised by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, Infecar – Feria de Gran Canaria, and the Innova Gastrocan Cluster, this forum is designed to create spaces where companies, professionals, and students can connect, learn, and explore new opportunities for growth.

Throughout the three-day event, young visitors will also enjoy a special programme with children’s activities such as performances of the Cancionero Isleño and several workshops — including sessions led by MasterChef Junior 11 winner, Valentina Salazar.

Tickets to the fair can be purchased throughout the weekend at a symbolic price of €1.50 via the official website feriagrancanariamegusta.es or directly at the ticket office.

The fair is supported by official partner Cajasiete, along with the Gran Canaria Me Gusta initiative and the Gran Canaria Chamber of Commerce. The 2025 edition is sponsored by SPAR Gran Canaria and Hiperdino, with Comercial Naranjo as the official equipment sponsor.