Buyers from 24 Countries to Learn More About Spanish Products After Salón Gourmets

Salón Gourmets 2023, one of Madrid’s biggest food fairs, will run from April 17^th to the 20^th. The event, which highlights fine foods and beverages, will attract people from all over the world.

With more than 55,000 products on display, over 2,000 exhibitors, and more than 10,000 visitors expected this year, it’s the event of the year for trade professionals and foodies alike.

Several organized trips will take place after Salón Gourmets, organized by ICEX as part its Hosted Buyers Program. These will take place from April 19^th to the 22^nd, with 27 participants coming from 24 different countries, including Denmark, the US, Germany, the UK, Peru, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and Brazil. They will have the unique opportunity to travel to an area of Spain and learn firsthand about its stellar local products.

Visit to Castile-La Mancha

One of the groups will head to Toledo following the conference. Participants will enjoy a welcome dinner at Restaurante La Orza on the first evening.  The following day they’ll head to the DeRaza Ibérico facilities,  where they’ll have the opportunity to learn about high-quality fresh, frozen, roasted, and marinated Ibérico products as well as cured items like sausages and ham.

From there they’ll head to Finca La Pontezuela for a unique, educational olive oil experience among the olive groves. They’ll  also enjoy lunch and an olive oil tasting there.

In the afternoon, the group will visit Finca Hualdo to learn all about their popular cheeses and olive oils, which are exported to over 35 countries around the world. The day will conclude with a tapas dinner in the city center of Toledo.

The following day will begin with a visit to Abricome, which produces pre-prepared products such as stews, paella, legumes, and pasta. Afterwards, the group will travel to the town of Consuegra, where they will enjoy a cheese tasting,  sausages made from game from the mountains of Toledo, stews made with saffron, Almagro eggplant, and other delicacies, accompanied by local wines.

The next and final stop will include 3 businesses to get an up-close look at some of the region’s best products: Manchego cheese at Artequeso, chocolate at Xocolalla, and vermouth and other wines at Bogarve1915.

Visit to Murcia

The participants traveling from Murcia come from Angola, Kenya, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea.

The first evening, the group will enjoy dinner at La Pequeña Restaurante. The following day, their first stop will be at Patatas Rubio, which is an expert in gourmet potato chips, with flavors like red caviar and black truffle. This will be followed by a visit to, and lunch at, Bodega Casa Roja, in Jumilla, to enjoy its fantastic wines.

The buyers will then head to Aliminter, which specializes in sauces, canned goods, sweet products like marmalade, honey, and syrups. This will be followed by a visit to Frutos Secos Auro, known for their nut selection.

The next day, the buyers will visit Aromais to get a better understanding of its award-winning hams, and then they’ll head to Ceratonia to learn about their healthy, natural syrups.

After lunch at Rubio 360, they will visit some of the most important local nature sites, followed by dinner at Tandem Restaurant.

Visit to Andalusia

A third group will visit Andalusia, made up of buyers from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Qatar, Lithuania, Japan, and Uzbekistan.

On the first day they will travel to Córdoba for a welcome dinner at Bodegas Campos. The following day will kick off with a visit to Bodegas Robles followed by Bodegas Toro Albalá to sample their wine selection.

After a networking lunch at Las Camachas in Montilla, the group will visit Cortijo Suerte Alta for a close-up look at their organic extra virgin olive oil.

On the next and final day, the group will head to the Hacienda de Quintos cultural center for several activities. This will include a cooking demo by Pablo Vega from Ménade restaurant, an exhibition of Andalusian products, and a networking lunch.

Visit to Castile-León

A fourth group of buyers will enjoy a few days getting to know the local businesses in Castile-León. The first stop will be award-winning Cerveza Mica, where they’ll enjoy a tour of the brewery and a tasting. In the evening,  dinner will be served at Hotel Torremilanos.

The next day will begin with a visit to Trufbox, experts in truffles, followed by a tour of meat wholesaler Miguel Vergara, where they’ll be able to visit the facilities and learn more about their products.

After lunch at Hotel Ruta del Duero, the participants will travel to Queseria La Antigua, in Fuentesaco, to get a better understanding of its exquisite cheeses and to taste them. Dinner will be served at Parador Zamora.

On the last day, the group will visit the Moralejo Selección facilities and enjoy a masterclass on lamb. The next stop will be Oliduero to learn more about its organic olive oils, followed by a visit to Carnicas Tabladillo, which specializes in suckling pig, for a tour and tasting. After lunch, the participants will visit a local deer farmer.