Chefs Guillermo García Santos and His Colleague Nahuel Núñez, from Restaurant 1973 Taste, Win the 2024 Canary Islands Absolute Chefs' Championship
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The winning dishes of the 2024 Canary Islands Absolute Chefs’ Championship were La Graciosa hake and rabbit stew.
Guillermo García Santos, chef at restaurant 1973 Taste under the direction of the renowned chef Diego Schattenhofer, has been crowned winner of the eighteenth edition of the Canary Islands Absolute Cooking Championship – Cabildo de Tenerife Grand Prize, held yesterday during the first day of the 9th Canary Islands Gastronomic Fair – GastroCanarias 2024.
The Competition and Its Challenges
In this edition, the contestants faced the challenge of preparing two dishes in just 135 minutes. One of these dishes had to feature La Graciosa hake as the main ingredient, a tribute to this year’s guest island. This local ingredient stood out not only for its exceptional quality but also for its versatility, challenging the chefs to show their creativity and technical skill.
La Graciosa Hake
La Graciosa hake was the star ingredient of the competition, chosen to highlight local produce and promote sustainability. This fish, known for its freshness and flavour, allowed the contestants to create innovative dishes that combine tradition and modernity.
Results and Prizes
Guillermo García Santos took first place, worth 1,500 euros, demonstrating his culinary excellence and creativity. Second place went to Gran Canaria chef Iván Pulido, and third place to Fernando Guadalupe of La Graciosa. In addition, Nahuel Núñez Campos, Guillermo García’s assistant, won 300 euros and the opportunity to take part in next year’s 2025 championship final directly as a finalist.
The Context of the Event: GastroCanarias 2024
The Canary Islands Gastronomic Fair, held until 23 May at the Recinto Ferial in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is a key event for the gastronomy of the Canary Islands. Over these days, more than 130 chefs, pastry chefs and bartenders from all the islands come together to share their knowledge and show their skills.
Other Championships and Activities
Besides the Cooking Championship, GastroCanarias 2024 includes a dozen competitions, spread across seven cooking categories and five drinks categories. These events showcase not only culinary mastery but also creativity in drinks preparation, with bartenders demonstrating their talent in cocktail-making.
Diego Schattenhofer’s Team
It is worth noting that Guillermo García Santos and his team are an active part of the kitchen team led by the renowned Chef Diego Schattenhofer at Restaurant Taste 1973. This restaurant, located in the Hotel Villa Cortés, has been awarded a Michelin star and a Repsol Sun, standing out as a benchmark of fine dining in the Canary Islands. Schattenhofer’s influence and mentorship have been fundamental to the development and success of García and his team.
An Argentine resident in the Canary Islands for some 20 years now, he trained in Buenos Aires with Joan Coll, Pablo Massey and Francis Mallmann. In Spain, he worked with renowned chefs such as Martín Berasategui, Francis Paniego, Juan Pablo de Felipe and Paco Pérez. Since 2005, he has taken part in congresses such as Madrid Fusión and San Sebastián Gastronomika, where in 2011 he won the Best Technological Innovation Award with Astrochefs.
In Tenerife, he founded the Gastrosinapsis team to apply science to gastronomy and explore the diet of the Guanche aborigines. He has worked on ancestral techniques, local animal genetics and the recovery of marine fauna.
Recently, together with scientist José Manuel Pérez de La Lastra, he developed a superfood with neutralising antibodies against COVID-19 and flu. He continues to research goat and cheese maturation, enzymatic processes in fish and the recreation of Guanche cheese. In 2024, he launched edible perfumes with Scentmate.
He is executive chef of Hoteles Europa and chef of Taste 1973 and OA Beach Club at the Hotel Villa Cortés. In 2022, he won the Best Consume Canario Restaurant Award, and in 2023, he obtained his first Repsol Sun and his first Michelin star.
Reflections on the Championship
Guillermo García’s triumph highlights not only his individual talent but also the importance of local produce in fine dining. La Graciosa hake symbolises the richness and diversity of Canarian gastronomic resources, and its use in the competition underlines the need to value and preserve these culinary treasures.
The Role of Local Ingredients
Using local ingredients not only guarantees freshness and quality, but also supports local producers and promotes sustainable practices. In a globalised context, returning to one’s roots and valuing what is native is crucial for a more responsible and conscious cuisine.
Conclusion
The 18th GastroCanarias 2024 Canary Islands Cooking Championship has been a celebration of the talent and passion of Canarian chefs. Guillermo García Santos, with his victory, has demonstrated his culinary mastery and capacity for innovation. This event continues to establish itself as a key platform for promoting Canarian gastronomy, celebrating both tradition and innovation.