Apehl and chef José Luis Pardo places the province of Lugo in a very strong position at the 4th Official Spanish Hospitality Championship-Tapas and Pinchos
- The tapa “Ostra, qué merluza de Burela” made it into the grand final of the competition, but the title of Best Tapa/Pincho in Spain ultimately went to the entry presented by Hostelería y Turismo en Asturias (OTEA).
27.01.2026. The Provincial Association of Hospitality and Tourism Entrepreneurs of Lugo (Apehl) came close, for the second consecutive year, to winning the title of Best Tapa/Pincho in Spain in the grand final of the 4th Official Spanish Hospitality Championship – Tapas and Pinchos, organised by Hostelería de España within the framework of the Madrid Fusión International Gastronomy Congress.
The province of Lugo defended its candidacy—with the sponsorship of Lugo City Council (Concello de Lugo), the Lugo Provincial Council (Deputación de Lugo), the Xunta de Galicia, Cafés Candelas, Estrella Galicia, Aceite de Quiroga, Pemento de Mougán, 2.i, Merluza de Burela and Transportes Valín—through chef José Luis Pardo who, accompanied by his assistant Verónica Díaz, presented the entry “Ostra, qué merluza de Burela”: a trompe-l’oeil “false oyster” made from squid-ink biscuit, filled with “gilda” gazpacho prepared with Quiroga olive oil, hook-and-line Burela hake cooked at low temperature and trout roe, finally crowned with a carabinero prawn foam.
Six finalists advanced to the final stage of the championship, held at midday today, representing the Málaga Hoteliers Association, the La Rioja Association of Hospitality Companies (Hostelería Riojana), Hostelería y Turismo en Asturias (OTEA), the Provincial Association of Hospitality Entrepreneurs of Alicante (Apeha), Sea Hostelería–Ostalaritza, and the Provincial Association of Hospitality and Tourism Entrepreneurs of Lugo (Apehl).
Ultimately, first prize went to the entry “Anda Rica”, presented by Hostelería y Turismo en Asturias (OTEA).
Cheché Real, President of Apehl, who accompanied José Luis Pardo and Verónica Díaz during these two days of competition, highlights “the outstanding performance of Lugo’s two representatives in this edition, in which we were able to see the very high level of all the competitors. It is a source of pride for us to have reached the final of this competition for the second consecutive year with José Luis Pardo. We must acknowledge his magnificent work as a professional and thank them both for placing our province in such a strong position in a national competition.”