Jerez de la Frontera has been designated Spanish Capital of Gastronomy after beating Antequera in a highly competitive edition. The recognition, awarded by a jury with profiles from the tourism and hospitality industries, rewards culinary quality, tourist projection and the ability to organize an annual program of activities.
The candidacy, presented under the motto "Eat, drink and love Jerez", was based on tradition, wines and sustainability, with a special focus on training and young talent. The project is supported by a calendar of 54 activities and for the support of the city's social and business fabric.
A unanimous ruling and a city candidacy
The jury —with representatives of Trade and Tourism, Agriculture and Food, as well as entities such as Hostelería de España, the Association of Travel Agencies, the ICTE, Taste Spain, Fitur, Eurotoques, the Tapa and Pincho Academy, the Circle of Centenary Restaurants and specialized journalists— highlighted the unanimity of the ruling and the collective involvement of the destination: City Council, wineries, hoteliers, producers and cultural agents worked in unison for a solid and well-focused dossier.
The city council and the hospitality associations emphasize that this capital status recognizes Jerez as a “great gastronomic capital” and reinforces a shared idea: the city offers excellent food and offers something for all tastes, from tabancos to haute cuisine. Industry figures, such as the Jerez Hospitality President, called for building on the momentum and redoubling efforts in the months leading up to the official launch.
The pillars of the project: legacy, cooperation, sustainability and talent
The Jerez proposal is structured into four strategic lines: legacy and tradition (local cuisine and wine heritage), cooperation and exchange (links with other cultural expressions), sustainability (SDG, innovation and research) and talent and trades (training and opportunities for new generations). These lines translate into concrete and measurable actions throughout the year.
The local recipe book is in the foreground with preparations such as Jerez cabbage, kidneys in sherry, bull's tail, garlic or the classic tocino de cieloThe personality of the destination is reinforced with unique spaces for sociability —taverns, rocks and musts— and with the rise of haute cuisine: in the city traditional food houses coexist with renowned restaurants Two Michelin Stars.
El Marco from Jerez the backbone of the candidacy: wines of international prestige (Finos, Amontillados, Olorosos, PX, among others) and an ancient wine culture that interacts with products of kilometer 0 and local suppliers. The combination of cuisine and flamenco, a very present part of the city's life, adds a distinctive cultural component to the gastronomic experience.
In addition to the official program of 54 activities —wine and tapas events, tours, festivals, workshops, and collaborations with producers—the bid has benefited from industry-supported initiatives, such as a promotional song promoted by Jerez-based restaurateurs and artists, designed to promote the city's brand and engage new audiences.
The change of the capital will take place in Fitur, with Jerez taking over from the previous year's title holder. The city will serve as the capital from the beginning of the year, with a vibrant calendar that will incorporate gastronomic events throughout the twelve months.
What does capital mean and its background?
La Spanish Capital of Gastronomy It was founded in 2012 to recognize the city that best promotes gastronomy as a tourist attraction. Destinations such as Logroño, Burgos, Vitoria, Caceres, Toledo, Huelva, Leon, Almeria, Murcia, Sanlucar de Barrameda, Cuenca, Oviedo y Alicante , which has seen its popularity and visitor numbers strengthen. With this designation, Jerez becomes the second town in Cádiz to hold this status, after Sanlúcar.
Planned agenda and key events in 2026
Jerez prepares a year with 54 scheduled appointments, designed to invite residents and visitors to discover its cuisine, wines, and culture. The calendar will incorporate major local highlights—the Jerez Festival, Easter, Horse Fair, Grape Harvest Festival, and zambombas—and a special look at Vinoble, scheduled for May, where the city will showcase its wine and gastronomic potential to professionals and the general public.
The local tourism sector is confident that the capital city will boost the national and international projection Jerez's brand, with expectations of growth in visitors and opportunities for local businesses. The capital's status also aligns with the city's medium-term cultural strategy, reinforcing synergies with other aspirations.
With a clear script —tradition, wine, sustainability and talent—and the support of the social and business community, Jerez faces its big year with an ambitious roadmap that combines culinary identity, a quality agenda, and a vocation for hospitality.