The strong reception for the event is demonstrated by the success of advance sales, as the 1,800 tickets put on sale on January 8 were sold out by Tuesday, January 20. The President of the Valls Chamber of Commerce, Josep Maria Rovira, announced that the remaining 4,000 tickets can be purchased on the day for 15 euros.
“"The most important gastronomic event in Catalonia. No other event has had an impact like this one."
The festival marks the official start of the calçotada season, which in Valls runs from November to April and provides a significant economic boost. It is estimated that the economic impact of the calçotada across Catalonia could reach 100 million euros. Rovira announced the creation of the first Calçotada Observatory, in collaboration with the URV, to detail this impact.
The President of the IGP Calçot de Valls, Isidre Coll, confirmed that the cold and rain guarantee a good calçot season. Coll highlighted the 38th Calçot Growers Contest and confirmed the presence of master artisan Xavier Pàmies from Forn Sistaré de Reus. He also dubbed the day “the calçot's main festival.”
The event features new sponsors, such as Domenio (Cellers Domenys), joining Salses Fruits and Europastry. They provide the essential elements for the popular tasting, including recycled paper bags, bibs, sauce, bread, and wine. The festival attracts international visitors from countries like Japan, Germany, and France, and receives coverage from thirty national and international media outlets.
