November 14 to 16 Gastromar food and drink festival in Los Alcázares

A host of appetizing experiences at the postponed gastro festival in the centre of Los Alcázares

The Gastromar foodies’ festival in Los Alcázares, which was originally scheduled for mid-October but was postponed while the town was clearing up following the flooding in the early part of the month, has been rescheduled for the weekend of 14^th to 16^th November, with tickets going becoming available for all events at 21.00 on Friday 7^th November.

Sadly, the gourmet market has been removed from the programme, but a range of other events have been created to compensate for this loss and the schedule for the weekend includes the following:

Friday November 14

17.30: Free activity for children on the stage on Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárquez. Prior registration is not required.

19.00: Boat trip with tasting of beers produced by Estrella de Levante, setting out from the jetty of La Pescadería. Prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 7^th November at 21.00), price 10 euros, 40 places available.

20.30: Cheese tasting at the Museo Aeronáutico. Prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 7^th November at 21.00), price 10 euros, 40 places available.

21.00: Estrellas y Soles, wines produced by Casa Castillo and tapas provided by Cañitas Maite, El Albero, Barahonda and Restaurante La Tropical, all of which have been awarded Repsol Guide Suns. Prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 7^th November at 21.00), price 25 euros, 120 places available.

Saturday November 15

10.00 to 13.00: PequeChef (4 sessions of young chef activities on the Paseo Real de la Feria, outside CaixaBank). Prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 7^th November at 21.00). No fee, 20 places available for each session.

11.30: Lemon slushies workshop in the Espacio Saborea outside the Town Hall, showing how this popular traditional summer drink is made at Heladería La Tercia. Free of charge, no prior registration required.

12.00: Rice show cooking with Edu Torres, master paella maker. Here he demonstrates how to create a perfect “socorrat” (the crusty. Coasted rice which forms at the bottom of a paella pan, which many maintain is the secret of a great paella!

Prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 7^th November at 21.00), price 6 euros, 100 places available.

12.00: A boat trip with Vermouth tasting included starts at the jetty of La Pescadería, prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 7^th November at 21.00). Price 10 euros, 40 places available.

12.30: “Los Vinos del Marco de Jerez”, a tasting of sherry wines from Jerez paired with the salted fish products typical of the Mar Menor area, held at the Balneario La Encarnación. Prior registration is required at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 7^th November at 21.00), price 25 euros, 60 places available.

16.30: A series of three demonstrations begins in Espacio Saborea with an explanation of the art of making the perfect Café Asiático by José Díaz. This is followed at 17.15 by a tasting of “Carajillo 43”, coffee blended with Licor 43, and at 18.00 by bluefin tuna slicing, a true art representative of life in the Mediterranean.

19.00: Boat trip with tasting of beers produced by Estrella de Levante, setting out from the jetty of La Pescadería. Prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 7^th November at 21.00), price 10 euros, 40 places available.

19.30: Try the T-bone steak prepared by Restaurante La Tropical, voted the best barbecue grill of Spain in 2023, at the Escenario SABOREA. Price 3 euros, to be donated to charity (approximately 200 portions available).

20.30: The Balneario La Encarnación hosts a tasting of regional products offered by Guatazales (extra virgin olive oil, honey, DOP Bullas wines and a selection of meat products). Prior registration is required at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 7^th November at 21.00), price 10 euros, 50 places available.

21.00: A unique gastronomic experience with Bodegas Jorge Piernas (providing 3 red wines and one white) and tapas by Chiyoko Sushi, Tapeoteca, Armonía and Odiseo, venue Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez. Prior registration is required at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 7^th November at 21.00), price 20 euros, 120 places available.

Sunday November 16

9.00: Free buns with hot chocolate at the Hotel Atrio del Mar.

11.00: Charity ham-slicing event in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez. Price 5 euros (in cash) per person to be donated to the local Cruz Roja. Alongside there is DJ music, a photocall, face-painting and music.

12.00: The Art of the Taco at the Hotel Balneario La Encarnación, an umami experience brought to you by chef Jan Santos of Espacio Umami. Prior registration is required at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 7^th November at 21.00), price 15 euros, 20 places available.

12.00: Sushi masterclass sponsored by Ricardo Fuentes and Bodegas Maquiavelo at the Armonia Beach Club - Club Náutico. Ricardo Fuentes in internationally known as one of the leading producers of bluefin tuna and the wine pairings are created by Bodegas Maquiavelo.

Prior registration is required at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 7^th November at 21.00), price 10 euros, 80 places available.

For more local news, events and visiting information contact the tourist offices in Los Alcázares or go to the home page of Los Alcázares Today.