Torrevieja too Host I DESAL Gastronomic Festival, Bringing Top Valencian Chefs to the Coast (Oct 17-19, 2025)
Torrevieja will become a culinary hub from October 17-19, 2025, when it stages the first edition of the DESAL Gastronomic Festival. The free, three‑day festival - held at the Antiguos Salones Bahía (Finca Victoria Garden) - brings together leading Valencian chefs, local restaurateurs and producers to showcase regional products and creative cuisine rooted in salt‑land traditions.
Festival at a glance
- Event: I Festival Gastronómico DESAL
- Dates: october 17-19, 2025
- Location: Antiguos Salones Bahía, Finca Victoria Garden, Torrevieja
- Activities: Showcookings, tastings, wine and product samplings, children’s workshops
- Cost: Free (prior registration required)
- Capacity: 30 people per activity
- Registration: desaltorrevieja.com
Why DESAL matters: A festival for the senses and the local economy
DESAL aims to put torrevieja and the Vega Baja on the culinary map by highlighting local ingredients (notably salt and coastal products) and the cultural mix that defines the area. The program blends high‑level gastronomy – including chefs wiht Michelin stars and Repsol Soles – with family activities, tastings and demonstrations that make the event accessible to residents and visitors alike.
Program highlights – showcookings, tastings and workshops
All activities are free with prior registration. Below is the program by day, featuring invited chefs and featured demonstrations.
Friday, October 17
- Carlos García Moreno (Dexcaro, Dénia – 1 Sol Repsol): ”Nuestro arroz de aquí y de allá” - a fusion of marina Alta with Peruvian, Japanese and Thai influences.
- Rafael Soler (Audrey’s, Calpe – 1 Michelin Star, 1 Sol Repsol): “La huerta de Rafa Soler.”
- adrian Stojewski: A fusion of Spanish and Polish cuisine.
Saturday, October 18
- Quico Corrochano (Mr. Cover lab, torrevieja): “Panettone with Torrevieja salt and grapes from La Mata.”
- kiko Moya (L’Escaleta, Cocentaina – 2 Michelin Stars, 3 Soles Repsol): “Salt as a transformative element.”
- Alberto Ferruz (BonAmb,Jávea – 2 Michelin Stars,3 Soles Repsol) & emmanuelle Barón (Casa Pepa,Ondara – 1 Michelin Star): “Memory as a starting point.”
- José Manuel Marcos Candela (Crujiente Petits Plaisirs / Candela Gelatería, Redován - Solete Repsol): “Chocolate Panettone.”
Sunday, October 19
- Joaquín Baeza Rufete (Baeza & Rufete, Alicante – 1 Michelin Star, 1 Sol Repsol): “Essences of the Mediterranean.”
- Vicky Sevilla (Arrels, Sagunto – 1 Michelin Star, 1 Sol Repsol): Market‑driven customary cuisine and simplicity.
Participating local restaurants and collaborators
Local hospitality businesses and regional partners join the festival to promote Torrevieja’s culinary scene:
- Restaurants: Las Columnas, Luz de Mar, La mar de Bien, HB, La Galería de la Mirada, Las Cañas, Bianco, Misto, mr. Cover Lab
- Collaborators and producers: Salinas de Torrevieja, Convega, Asociación Alcachofa Vega Baja del Segura, Turespaña (Oslo and Warsaw offices), L’exquisit Mediterrani, Turisme Comunitat Valenciana
practical information and registration
Places are strictly limited to 30 people per activity. All activities are free but require prior registration at the official site: desaltorrevieja.com.
If you are a chef or restauranteur wishing to participate, organizers ask you to send submission documents (NIF, sanitary registry, opening license) via email to administracion@turismodetorrevieja.com.The deadline to submit documentation listed by organizers is October 31, 2024.
Quote from local government
“DESAL is not just a culinary showcase; it is a space to experience innovation without abandoning tradition, alongside award‑winning chefs who have chosen torrevieja as a gastronomic stage.” – Rosario Martínez Chazarra, Councillor for Hospitality and Tourism
Quick reference: event schedule table
| Date | Main focus | Notable guests |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 17, 2025 | Rice and garden‑to‑table showcookings | Carlos G. Moreno, Rafael Soler |
| Oct 18, 2025 | Salt, memory and baked delights | Kiko Moya, Alberto Ferruz |
| Oct 19, 2025 | Mediterranean essences & market cooking | Joaquín Baeza, Vicky Sevilla |
How to attend
- Visit desaltorrevieja.com.
- Choose the activities you want (max. 30 people per session).
- Register in advance – activities are free but limited.
Why food lovers should mark their calendars
DESAL brings together a mix of star chefs and local producers in a format designed for discovery: short, accessible sessions; family workshops; and a regional focus that highlights salt, rice, local produce and the culinary crossroads that define Torrevieja and the Vega Baja. For residents and visitors, it’s an chance to taste, learn and connect with Valencian gastronomy.
Sources and credits
This article is based on the official declaration and program information released by Torrevieja tourism and festival organizers.
- TodoTorrevieja – Torrevieja acoge la primera edición del Festival Gastronómico DESAL: https://www.todotorrevieja.es/torrevieja-acoge-la-primera-edicion-del-festival-gastronomico-desal/
- DESAL Torrevieja (registration and event details): https://desaltorrevieja.com
- Turismo de Torrevieja (contact for participants): https://turismodetorrevieja.com (administration email: administracion@turismodetorrevieja.com)