Presentations, workshops, tastings, concerts, DJ sessions, culinary activities for children... Around 20 activities make up the program for 'Degusta Cieza,' presented this Friday at CICOLA, the city's retail and hospitality center.
The event was attended by Mayor Tomás Rubio; Director General of Tourism Quality Patricio Sánchez; Councilor for Hospitality Gertrudis Juliá; and Director of the Gastronomic Fair Sergio Gallego.
This is one of the most important culinary events in the Region of Murcia, which is changing its format and will have a new stage in the Parque Príncipe de Asturias from February 29th to March 3rd.
The presentations will feature three Michelin-starred chefs from the Murcia region.
Degusta Cieza will bring together highly attractive features, such as easy access from the A-30 via the Cieza Centro exit. The food fair, part of the Floración 2024 tourism project, will have more space this year for food and entertainment, as well as a Mini Gourmet area for children that includes cooking workshops and activities. Food prepared by bars and restaurants in Cieza will play a prominent role in this edition.
The three Michelin-starred chefs from the Region of Murcia—Pablo González-Conejero from La Cabaña restaurant; María Gómez from Magoga; and Juan Guillamón from Almo—are set to become a strong attraction for culinary tourists and, at the same time, will provide a prestigious ingredient that will enhance the fair's reputation.
Statements about the fair
Sergio Gallego elaborated on the aspects of the fair's offerings and outlined all the details of the program. The opening ceremony will take place on Thursday, February 29th at 8:00 PM. A total of nine presentations will be given, some by local restaurateurs, all with tastings of typical Cieza products, two concerts by Conecta 2 and La Banda de Ases, four DJ sessions with Set Anfri and Set Titosito, a tapas area, a mini-gourmet area, and cocktail sessions with Mario Gallard.
Wine and cocktail tastings
In addition to wine tasting with Antonio Chacón, Julio Velandrino from Los Alcázares, and Sergio Marín from Calasparra with a cobblestone restaurant, natural gastronomy with Salvador Fernández from Bullas, presentations with tastings by Ciezano restaurateurs Salmerón, Francisco Hita, and Joaquín Ramos... In short, more than a hundred different gastronomic offerings over the four days and a novel and very aesthetically pleasing roofing and air conditioning system. A cocktail bar, a barbecue area, and several areas with low and high tables make it easy for all visitors to enjoy the tapas.
Patricio Sánchez cited Cieza as an example, "a municipality that is firmly committed to tourism in all its forms and has positioned itself as one of the leading tourist destinations in the Region of Murcia, with a rich offering of natural, sports, religious, cultural, and historical tourism, to which gastronomic tourism is also clearly gaining momentum. The work being carried out by the Cieza City Council is exemplary, and many should learn from it."
Statements by the Councilor for Hospitality and Commerce
Gertrudis Juliá commented that "one of the pleasures we Ciezans most enjoy sharing is tapas. Having a wide and varied selection of restaurants makes us a culinary benchmark both within and outside the Vega Alta. These are establishments where the care of their professionals makes us feel at home. Their humanity is reflected in their dishes, in their way of serving customers. You have to put a lot of love into the kitchen because, in a way, they are transmitting a lot of passion and a deep knowledge of the profession. All of this will be present at Degusta Cieza. Cieza is savored from tapa to tapa."
Statements by the Mayor
Mayor Tomás Rubio concluded by adding, "Experts in the field affirm that the fusion of tourism and gastronomy as a future culture is an increasingly widespread trend. Tourists seek authentic, local culinary experiences as an integral part of their cultural exploration. The culinary objective of travel is a unique and delicious way to simultaneously savor the cultural and gastronomic diversity of our peoples. It is a type of tourism that harmonizes the passion for travel with the love of food, appreciating offerings that allow us to explore the gastronomic culture of diverse societies through the flavors, smells, and textures of ingredients."
The mayor added that "culinary flavors and experiences are often some of the most lasting and meaningful memories of a trip. All of this is intrinsically part of the philosophy of the 'Degusta Cieza' fair program: welcoming, sharing, enjoying, learning, and understanding through food."
"For tourists, the local cuisine of each place is one of the most valued experiences when traveling. For this reason, the Cieza City Council has a strong responsibility to maintain this gastronomy fair, which is already a benchmark throughout the Region of Murcia."
Rubio concluded by emphasizing that "without agriculture, there is no prosperity, which is why Ciezan society must fully and unconditionally support farmers in their problems and needs." Finally, he invited people from Cieza, Murcia, and other parts of the country who love good food to visit Cieza on February 29th and March 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
During the presentation, the promotional video for Floración 2024, produced by Kalon Bay, and a song by Kike Ruiz praising the benefits of the city of Cieza were shown.
Source: Cieza City Council.