Michelin Guide presentation to bring €10m to Marbella

The Costa del Sol’s Michelin-starred chefs: Dani García, Diego del Río, Marcos Granda & José Carlos García

An ambitious initiative four years in the making has finally paid off with the recent news that the presentation of the ‘Spain & Portugal Michelin Guide 2015’ will be taking place at Marbella’s landmark Hotel Los Monteros this autumn. It’s the first time that the prestigious event has ever been held in Andalucía, and as the most important gastronomic ceremony in the Iberian Peninsula, in terms of media coverage alone it’s estimated to be worth a cool €10m to Marbella in particular, and to the Costa del Sol in general…

Up until now, the presentation of La Guía Michelin – which was launched 104 years ago – has only been held in Spain’s biggest cities, Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and San Sebastián. Last year, Marbella was a candidate finalist, eventually beaten by Bilbao where the event was hosted by the city’s magnificent Guggenheim museum. But this year, despite being up against tough competition from provincial capitals Valencia and Santiago de Compostela, Marbella has come up trumps. And it’s easy to see why.

Los Monteros Director, Fernando Al Farkh; Marbella Mayor, Ángeles Muñoz; Dani García and members of the team of organisers

First up, Marbella has more Michelin-starred restaurants than anywhere else in Andalucía: Dani García’s Bibo Restaurante at the Hotel Puente Romano, plus Diego del Río’s El Lago and Marcos Granda’s Skina; while back in the 80s, the 5-star GL Los Monteros Spa & Golf Resort’s El Corzo was the very first hotel restaurant on Spanish soil to be awarded two Michelin stars.

Marbella’s own 2-star Michelin chef Dani García – who says “I’ve been fortunate to have experienced this unique Gala on many occasions and am proud to be associated with this event” – will be overseeing the delectable haute cuisine showcasing the ultimate in Spanish Mediterranean contemporary dishes that will be served to guests and VIPs on 19 November.

All three of Marbella’s Michelin-starred chefs will be taking part, as will Málaga’s celebrated José Carlos García, whose 1-starred Michelin restaurant of the same name is located in the swish new Muelle Uno district of the capital of the Costa del Sol. “Until only a few years ago,” he says, “it would have been impossible to imagine that such an important gastronomic event would take place in the south of Spain.”

As the Michelin Guide’s Mayte Carreño affirms, “Marbella is a top-class tourist destination which is experiencing a truly momentus time. The evolution of its hospitality sector clearly demonstrates the dedication and skill of its professionals which is welcomed by foreigners and nationals alike.”

The crème de la crème of Spanish chefs – those with 2 or even 3 Michelin stars under their belts – will be attending the presentation of the latest edition of the Spain & Portugal Michelin Guide, including world-famous Juan Mari Arzak – chef-owner of Restaurante Arzak in San Sebastián and no stranger to Marbella since he has a property here – together with other luminaries including leading restaurant critics, food writers and other gastronomes both national and international.

But whether you’re a Michelin foodie and a fan of molecular gastronomy, prefer pub grub, fish ‘n chips, vegetarian, vegan, Italian, French, Indian, Tex-Mex, traditional Spanish, Thai, Indonesian, Chinese or Japanese cuisine – or simply love to fire up the barbie… on the Costa del Sol you’ve truly got it all!