The Spain Tourism Board celebrated the World Tapas Day with a special media event in Kuala Lumpur, celebrating tapas as hallmark of Spain’s rich gastronomic heritage and cultural identity.
Held in the presence of His Excellency José Luis Pardo, Ambassador of Spain to Malaysia, the event highlighted the deep significance of tapas as both a culinary art form and a symbol of Spain’s social culture. In his remarks, H.E. Pardo emphasized the tapa as a “unique ambassador of Spanish identity, offering not only flavour but a shared experience that brings people together.”
Also in attendance was a delegation from Valladolid and Saborea España, visiting Malaysia as part of their Southeast Asia mission to promote Spain’s enogastronomic tourism and global engagement through tapas.
Representing the Spain Tourism Board (Turespaña) Southeast Asia office, and on behalf of its Director Ms. Marta Fernández Martín, were:
- Ms. Chet Ramos, Public Relations Manager
- Ms. Irene Valencia Iribarren, Market Analyst
- Ms. María Hernández García, Marketing Specialist
These key representatives helped frame the event within Spain’s wider strategy to promote its diverse regional tourism offerings and cultural assets across Southeast Asia.
The Valladolid delegation included:
- Ms. Blanca Jiménez Cuadrillero, Councillor of Tourism, Events and City Branding of Valladolid City Council, and President of Saborea España
- Mr. Juan Manuel Guimeráns Rubio, Manager of the Valladolid Tourism Board, Technical Director of Saborea España, and President of the Spain Film Commission
- Mr. Rodrigo Criado del Rey Sáez, Head of Enogastronomy Product, Valladolid Tourism Board
- Mr. Ángel Moretón Toquero, Technical Director of the World Tapas Competition and Asia Tapas Competition, and Director of e-Spain
The delegation’s visit centers on promoting the National and World Tapas Competitions—renowned platforms born in Valladolid that spotlight the tapa as Spain’s most genuine culinary contribution to global cuisine. Since 2004, the National Tapas Competition has gathered the country’s top chefs in a celebration of creativity and tradition. In 2017, this initiative evolved into the World Tapas Competition, now featuring chefs from around the globe.
This year, the Asia Tapas Competition and Malaysian National Tapas Competition return to Kuching, Sarawak (16–19 June 2025), marking the second edition hosted in Malaysia. Valladolid officials will serve on the international jury, reinforcing the cultural and tourism diplomacy objectives of their visit.
The event concluded with a tasting session of carefully curated tapas by Marta Alonso of Marta’s Kitchen, offering guests an authentic culinary experience that showcased the essence of Spanish cuisine.
World Tapas Day serves as a flavorful reminder that gastronomy is not just about food—but about storytelling, culture, and connection.
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