Zaragoza, Ciudad Creativa de la Gastronomía de la UNESCO, exhibe su oferta en Madrid Fusión

Zaragoza arrives at Madrid Fusión Alimentos de España 2026 ready to showcase the proposal that convinced UNESCO to declare it a Creative City of Gastronomy; a select network of some fifty municipalities worldwide, to which, in Spain, only Denia and Burgos belong (both inscribed in 2015). To be declared a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO, a city must demonstrate a consolidated culinary tradition, a commitment to innovation and creativity, the use of local ingredients, and a firm commitment to integrating gastronomy into its sustainable development plans. The candidacy, promoted by the city council, must undergo a series of evaluations before receiving the designation.

The city's gastronomic offerings can be discovered both at the Saborea España stand (Hall 14, OE.036), and in the Aragon space, which is also a protagonist this year, as it attends as the Guest Autonomous Community (Hall 14, 0C016).

In collaboration with Zaragoza Tourism, the city is focusing its program on two of its major achievements: its recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and its claim to the title of World Capital of Garnacha, the cornerstone of its wine and food tourism strategy. In Zaragoza's case, in addition to its commitment to local products, culinary talent, and innovation, the program emphasizes the dialogue with wine. The official presentation as a Creative City of Gastronomy, led by Sara Fernández, Councilor for Culture, Education, and Tourism of the Zaragoza City Council, will take place on Tuesday the 27th (11:00 AM, Multipurpose Stage), and will be accompanied by a tasting of dishes prepared by restaurants in the city.

Garnacha, wine and territory

Wine takes center stage in the program, with tastings dedicated to the white and red Garnachas of the DO Campo de Borja (Monday, 11:00 a.m., Aula del Vino Saborea España, with prior registration) and different expressions of Garnacha from the DO Cariñena (Tuesday, 1:00 p.m.), reinforcing Zaragoza's commitment to becoming the World Capital of Garnacha.

Meanwhile, the tasting led by Master of Wine and Zaragoza-based winemaker Fernando Mora, held as part of The Wine Edition, will be dedicated entirely to Garnacha wines from Zaragoza. The event will culminate in a paired tasting, organized in collaboration with Aragón Alimentos, featuring wines from the province's three designations of origin and the participation of chef Tonino Valiente from Tatau Bistro.

The program is completed with tastings of emblematic products such as the Almudévar braid and the Fruits of Aragon, and with actions linked to the local beer culture, with special prominence to the 125th anniversary of Cervezas Ámbar.

Zaragoza's restaurants take center stage

Local culinary talent forms the backbone of the program, and thus, during the three days of the fair, various restaurants will visit the Zaragoza stand, showcasing the diversity and personality of Zaragoza's gastronomic scene through presentations and tastings. Sophia Gastrobar, with Javier Pellejero, will put its renowned croquette to the public's judgment and will offer a workshop focused on borage. Dalai Valdespartera, with Ángel Marco and Virginia Roche, will present a crispy suckling pig dish paired with Ámbar Export beer, while Envero Gastrowine, with Yolanda Amores and Eva María Costas, will offer a mille-feuille of Ternasco de Aragón IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) lamb. La Doris will complete this culinary journey with a sturgeon tapa prepared against the current.

Zaragoza's presence extends to other areas of the congress with the participation of El Burgolés, which will be part of the joint gastronomic menu of Saborea España destinations; La Clandestina and Pastelerías Manuel Segura, present in the gastronomic passes of the VIP Room; and La Vía Verde, which will participate in the gala dinner held at the Royal Post Office.

2026, a strategic year

Zaragoza's presence at Madrid Fusión is part of a strategic year for the city, driven by Zaragoza Tourism and marked by milestones such as the anniversary of the declaration of Mudéjar art as a World Heritage Site, the celebration of the International Forum on Tourism and World Heritage, and the Turespaña Convention. Added to this is the rollout, throughout 2026, of the Zaragoza Creative City of Gastronomy project, with initiatives such as the International Garnacha and Sustainable Gastronomy Festival, collaborative projects with other cities in the UNESCO network, the creation of creative gastronomic routes, and training, inclusion, and innovation programs that connect gastronomy, heritage, and other creative disciplines. This calendar consolidates Zaragoza as a creative, vibrant, and contemporary city, where gastronomy, heritage, and culture move forward hand in hand.