Top tapas chefs 2018 crowned in Mallorca

TaPalma, Mallorca's biggest tapas festival, began yesterday with a competition that crowned the best local tapas chefs. Several awards were given, including the Golden Tapa, Golden Cocktail and Golden Themed Tapa.

Ombu Restaurant, located in the centre of Palma just a few steps from the cathedral and marina, won the Golden Tapa award, the competition's first prize. Chef Vicente Lobo presented a recipe called 'Caminantes a Tailandia' ('On the Way to Thailand'), a perfectly crunchy toast with hand of pork and ginger, drizzled with coconut and lime oil.

In second place was chef Bernabé Caravotta from Vandal Restaurant with 'Legado Colombino' ('Colombian Legacy') and, in third place, Forn de Sant Joan's chef Tito Verger and his tapa 'Niguiri de paella' ('Paella Niguiri'). Bernabé Caravotta also won the prize for Golden Themed Tapa, which this year had to include the Mallorcan Quely cracker.

As for the Golden Cocktail, it went to Assaona Beach Club in Portixol. Mixologist Haitán Asbai concocted a potion called 'Pasaporte' combining Bacardi rum, maraschino, lime juice and passion fruit with a hint of peppermint.

You can try all the tapas and cocktails yourself from next Wednesday, November 28th and until Sunday, December 2nd. There are various tapas routes devised by the TaPalma organisation that will take you around Palma's gastro hubs. Enjoy!