The Gust de Lleida stand at the MOS Fair hosted the presentation of the new Academy of Gastronomy of Lleida. The entity is founded with the aim of fostering, promoting, preserving, and enriching the gastronomy of the Lands of Lleida, the Pyrenees, and Aran. The event was hosted by chef and gastronomic communicator Gal·la Pipó, and served to recognize ten restaurant professionals as new honorary members.
The Deputy of Economic Promotion of the Diputació de Lleida, Jordi Verdú, highlighted that the Academy “is born with a very clear mission: to value our gastronomy and recognize the people who make it possible”. Verdú championed the role of restaurateurs as ambassadors of the territory, stating that “when a chef opts for a local product, they are not just doing gastronomy: they are making our landscapes, our producers, and our identity known”. This task is part of the Gust de Lleida strategy.
For his part, the president of the Academy of Gastronomy of Lleida, Javier Campo, explained that one of the central objectives is to recognize those who have contributed significantly to the world of gastronomy and the agri-food sector. The first honorary academics recognized were Núria Bonet (Ca la Núria de Bellver de Cerdanya), Pere Graupera (Casa Irene d’Arties), Xixo Castaño (Malena de Gimenells), Albert Jubany (ETH Bistró de Vielha), Laia Coma (Mare de la Font de Solsona), Joel Castanyé (La Boscana de Bellvís), Ángel Rodríguez (Carballeira de Lleida), Ángel Esteve (Sisè de Lleida), Marcos Pedarròs (Er Occitan de Bossòst), and Mariano Gonzalvo (Lo Paller del Coc de Surp).
The president of the Diputació de Lleida, Joan Talarn, also participated in the presentation of the new PostuXapes with Gust de Lleida, a solidarity initiative that combines territorial promotion with a social aspect. During the event, badges were distributed among producers and athletes present. Talarn emphasized that the new PostuXapes “unite two things that define Lleida very well: pride in what we do locally and the capacity to be supportive”.
Saturday's program at the MOS Fair included seven showcookings and local product tastings. Chefs such as Mercè Camins (Casa Mercè de Fontdepou), Òscar Balsells (Sindicat de Tarrés), Rémi Martinazzo and Pierre Houspie (Forn de Pa d’Abans de Cervera), Jordi Ávila (Tot es mou de TV3), Dani Miquel (Bo d’Ilersis), Mateu Blanch (Restaurant Caravista), and Gonzalo Ferreruela (Restaurant Ferreruela) participated. Sports clubs such as Club Esportiu INEFC Lleida Rugby, the women's team of Força Lleida, and Club Lleida Unió Atlètica also visited the stand.
The MOS Fair will continue on Sunday with the Catalan final of the 'Lliga del Porc i la Forquilla' (Pork and Fork League) and gastronomic offerings from chefs including Sergi Aritzeta (Restaurant El Truc d’Agramunt), Pep Nogué (La Fonda de Catalunya Ràdio), Ángel Esteve (Restaurant Sisè), David López (Costers del Sió), Hèctor Padilla (Bo d’Ilersis), Dani López (Alombra), Gemma Echeverria (IRTA), and Oriol Solé (Restaurant Gruel). There will also be visits from AEM, the Club Ciclista Lleida, and the Lleida Handbol Club.
