Barcelona became the center of national culinary talent last night with the celebration of the X Macarfi Gala. The event brought together prominent chefs and a wide representation of Spanish gastronomy to commemorate a decade since the launch of the Macarfi Guide, created by Manuel Carreras Fisas. Since its first edition in October 2015, the Macarfi Guide has evolved from an urban project in Barcelona to encompass eight autonomous communities, including Catalunya, Comunidad de Madrid, Euskadi, La Rioja, Comunitat Valenciana, Andalucía, Cantabria, and Principado de Asturias, with plans for expansion to fifteen communities by 2026.

The gala, hosted by Carlos Latre, recognized the best restaurants in the country with the Top of the Tops awards. This year’s winners included Disfrutar in Catalunya, Diverxo in Comunidad de Madrid, and Asador Etxebarri in Euskadi, all leaders in the ranking for three consecutive years. Additionally, the Rookie award was given to Ibai restaurant in Euskadi, acknowledging the best opening in 2024. The event also highlighted the restaurants at the top of the TOP 10/15 lists in each autonomous community, which include El Celler de Can Roca, Desde 1911, Elkano, and Casa Marcial, among others. These rankings are based on the opinions of Macarfi ambassadors and the gourmet community.

Andalucía particularly stood out with an impressive list of awardees that includes Bardal, Aponiente, Kaleja, Noor, Bagá, José Carlos García, Lú Cocina y Alma, Back, La Costa Restaurante, Skina, Los Marinos José, Palodú, La Milla, Nintai, and La Finca. These establishments have been recognized for their excellence and creativity in Andalusian cuisine, solidifying the region as a gastronomy reference in Spain.

The gala gathered over 150 renowned chefs, including figures like Joan Roca, Sergio and Javier Torres, and Elena Arzak, as well as personalities from the business and social spheres, like Luis Suárez de Lezo, president of the Royal Academy of Gastronomy, and Ramon Agenjo, president of Barcelona Global. During the event, the Macarfi Guide 2025 was presented, including rankings by autonomous communities and classifications of restaurants based on various criteria. The guide, available in Spanish and English, features 360 reviews of the most outstanding restaurants and covers a total of 4,000 establishments on its platform.

Manuel Carreras also discussed the Macarfi Club, an initiative offering exclusive gastronomic experiences and advantages in hotels, which already has more than 500 members since its launch in September 2023. The X Macarfi Gala was not only a tribute to culinary talent but also a celebration of the rich and diverse Spanish gastronomy that continues to conquer palates worldwide.