A Ribeira Sacra and Casa Valentín win the first prizes in the Madrid 2020 Octopus Passion Contest
In this V edition of Pulpo Pasión, the delicacy could be tasted in tapas, plate or menu formats. It was served accompanied by Pulpo D.O. Rias Baixas, or Analivia D.O. Rueda, from Pagos del Rey, sponsor of the event.
The Mesón-pulpería A Ribeira Sacra, on Calle Cavanilles, 4, wins the first prize in the Traditional Category and Casa Valentín, on Calle Rafael Finat, 40, with the first prize in the Vanguard Category. They are the winners of the IV Best Octopus Contest in Madrid. This contest is part of the V edition of Pulpo Pasión, which was held in 35 restaurants in the Community of Madrid, between December 11 and 20 of last year.
The awards ceremony was scheduled at the end of the Christmas holidays, but had to be delayed due to the snowstorm, finally being held on January 19. Taking into account also the worsening of the current situation of the pandemic in Madrid, the organization chose to deliver the awards directly to each of the awarded restaurants, accompanied by part of the jury, the chefs Juan Pozuelo, José Luque, Miguel Ángel Mateos, Rebeca Hernández and the journalist Concha Crespo.
In the Traditional Category, the second place has been obtained by the Bar la Gallega in calle de Santa Engracia, 159. In third place and tied for points, the Restaurant Marisquería O'Portiño, in Plaza del General Maroto 1, the Sidrería Restaurant Carlos Tartiere, at 35 Menorca street, and EGUN-ON Restaurant, at Paseo del Zurrón 31 (Coslada).
In the Vanguard Category, the second place went to Mesón Rías Gallegas, on Lugo Street, 4 in Leganés. And a new tie in the third position, between the Pulpería de Victoria on Victoria Street 2, and La Barbacana, in the Plaza de Barbacana, Avenida Adolfo Suarez, 14 de Boadilla del Monte.
In addition, there was also a special mention for the best pairings:
- Best Pairing with “Pulpo” D.O. Rias Baixas, La Escalera de Serrano, in Serrano street, 215
- Best Pairing with “Analivia” D.O. Rueda has been for EGUN-ON Restaurant, at Paseo del Zurrón 31, in Coslada.
The flavor and the doneness of the octopus were two of the main characteristics that the jury valued in the Best Octopus Category, as well as originality and creativity.
This edition was made up of chefs Rebeca Hernández from the La Berenjena restaurant, Juan Pozuelo from Canal Cocina and the Harry and Sally group, José Luque from The Westin Palace Madrid, Miguel de La Fuente from the Intercontinental Hotel, Miguel Ángel Mateos from La Casa de las Brasas, Eduardo Casquero from Aldovea Catering, and José López from Embassy, the journalist Concha Crespo and the president of the Chaine de rotisseurs Rosa Román, and Adrián Mayorga.
The Pulpo Pasión gastronomic route is organized by the gastronomic events company Nacho Sandoval Strategias and Marketing SL, is sponsored by Pagos del Rey, and the collaboration of the Carballiño Council.