Palma de Mallorca, 19th Sep 06

NEW GASTRONOMIC DELIGHTS ON MALLORCA

From traditional Mallorcan dishes to tapas - Mallorca has it all !

Regular visitors to Mallorca will know it has been undergoing a culinary revolution over the past 10 years, which has co-incided with renewed interest in Mallorca’s wonderful countryside and the rural culture of the island. Back in the 1970’s when tourism started to boom on Mallorca, restaurants did not stray far from international menus. However, today visitors can sample the very best of traditional Mallorcan and Mediterranean cuisine throughout the island.

Furthermore, the increasing demand from visitors for “home grown” produce has encouraged local producers and small family firms to invest in future development and many of these are featured in the Ministry of Agriculture guide to good food and wine:

NEW GOURMET FOOD AND WINE ROUTES

The Balearic Ministry of Agriculture has launched the new 2006/7 programme of “Agrorutes del Bon Gust” (translated as “Gourmet Agricultural Routes”). Since the start of this promotion three years ago, the number of participating producers has almost doubled and 70 companies are now featured.

The routes focus on family firms producing wine, cheese, local sausage (sobrasada), olive oil and organic products including almonds, fruit & vegetables, jams and even an organic farm rearing ostriches and ostrich eggs. For the first time, five traditional bakers specialising in the production of Mallorca’s own “ensaimada” (a light fluffy pastry which can be combined with sweet or savoury fillings), can be visited.

Many of the companies listed, which are categorised into wine, sobrassada and sausage, organic produce, cheese & dairy products, olive oil and bakers, will be delighted to show visitors around their premises. Over half the producers listed are bodegas as Mallorca’s wine story continues to grow with many quality wines being produced, which are winning prizes on the national Spanish and international circuit.

As the majority of these local products are not available in the UK they make great presents/souvenirs.

The comprehensive Gourmet Food & Wine Routes leaflet and map is available in English from all tourist offices around the island and the participating producers. Further information can be obtained from the website: www.illesbalearsqualitat.es.

TAPAS TASTING FAIR “TAPALMA”, 31st October - 5th November, Pueblo Español, Palma.

This event, which is now in its second year, is organised by the Restaurateurs Association of Mallorca. This year over 25 establishments will participate and the public will be able to taste a wide range of tapas over the five days from traditional regional Spanish recipes and flavours to the innovative.

The entrance fee is 5 euros per person to include entrance into the Pueblo Español, a free beer or glass of wine, café or liqueur. Each visitor can buy the special currency of the fair “el tapi” (equivalent to 1.20 euros). Each tapas, depending on its size and food value will have a different price from 1 – 3 “tapis”. The fair is open to the public from 12.30 – 16.00 and from 19.00 to 00.00 on Tuesday to Saturday inclusive and from 12.30 to 16.00 on Sunday.

Further information; Tel: + 34 971 713348 or www.restauracio.org

WINE TASTING TOURS

Award winning British sommelier, Carol Forrest, is organising new wine tours of the island for visitors. The tour starts in Palma’s Placa Cort, where a minibus transports the visitor to two bodegas in the morning followed by a traditional Mallorcan lunch. The tour, which lasts approximately 5 hours, is aimed at anyone with an interest in wine - you don’t have to be an expert. The price of 70 Euros + VAT per person includes, transport, wine sampling and lunch.
Further information: www.majorcawinetour.com or Tel: + 34 971 495 422

COMING UP ….

“Mostra Cuina” Exhibition, April 11th - 20th 2007, Palma.
Many of traditional and new Mallorcan dishes can be sampled at the “Mostra Cuina” food exhibition in Palma’s exhibition halls where 20 restaurants and top chefs will be show-cooking their signature dishes using the very best of Mallorcan home grown produce. For more information contact the Mallorcan Restaurant Association, Tel: (+ 34) 971 71 33 48.

For further information, please contact:
Mallorca Tourist Board, Dominique Carroll / Anna Skidmore,
Tel:(+34) 971 725 396 Fax: (+34) 971 713 540
E-Mail: info@fomentmallorca.org

Further Press Releases:

FIVE NEW HOTEL OPENINGS IN MALLORCA SPRING – SUMMER 2013 (31st May 13)

GOOD NEWS FOR MALLORCA IN 2012 (09th Feb 12)

THREE KINGS - THE FESTIVITIES CONTINUE! (05th Jan 12)