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Little by little the winners of the prestigious National Gastronomy Award 2023 in the different categories are being announced. The last name announced has been that of Sara Fort, from Paco Roncero Restaurant, who has received the National Gastronomy Award for Best Dining Room Manager 2023. The jury has thus recognized a career of more than 25 years in the management of the dining room.
The president of the jury, the National Gastronomy Award Juan Manuel del Rey, stressed that Sara “is an institution in the dining room of our country, an example to follow and a pioneer for the innovation she launched. Her career is extremely important and this award recognizes her professionalism and the quality of her work.” Fort has been leading the dining room of Paco Roncero Restaurant (2 Michelin stars) since 2019, and previously founded La Broche, with his then partner Sergi Arola, and then the groundbreaking Sergi Arola Restaurant.
Raúl Miguel Revilla and Hilario Arbelaitz, also among the award winners
The 2023 National Gastronomy Awards gala will be held on October 3 at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. Another of the recipients recently announced was Raúl Miguel Revilla, with the National Gastronomy Award for Best Sommelier 2023. The sommelier of the Zalacaín restaurant. The jury recognized his impeccable career, his extensive knowledge of the world of wine and his know-how at the head of a legendary winery such as Zalacaín.
Raúl joined Zalacaín as an apprentice 22 years ago, and throughout his career he has been recognized with other awards such as Best Sommelier 2020 at the International Academy of Gastronomy Awards.
In addition, in July it was announced that the Lifetime National Gastronomy Award would go this year to Hilario Arbelaitz. This is a special recognition that pays tribute to this renowned chef who said goodbye professionally to the kitchen on December 30, 2022, after 53 years of impeccable career at the Zuberoa restaurant.
Another of the lucky ones is José Luis Alonso, shepherd and cheese producer in the Picos de Europa National Park, who has won the National Gastronomy Award Young Talent Food of Spain 2023. And also Amaya Cervera, in the category of Best Gastronomic Communication. It should be remembered that Tapas Magazine won the award in this category in 2016.