San Sebastian Gastronomika-Euskadi Basque Country is a combination of talks and showcooking, networking and encounters, gastronomic activities and a trade fair, but it has competitions and prizes too. The National Grill Prize has been awarded to the best ember grill chef on eleven occasions; the San Miguel National Russian Salad Championship moves into its fourth year for the best exponent of a popular recipe which arouses genuine passion all over the peninsula, while the second National "Tierra de Sabor" Chickpea Championship pays homage to Castilla's most venerated legume.

This year two more competitions have been added at Spain's longest standing gastronomy congress. These are the National Tenerife Tropical Fruit Dessert Competition and the Spanish Apple Tart by Asturias Championship. Two sweet-tooth contests with a cash prize to add a measure of competition to the re-encounter congress. 

The following are the five competitions to be held during the 23rd San Sebastian Gastronomika-Euskadi Basque Country 2021:

12th National Grill Competition

As usual, this will be held on the last day, Wednesday 17 November. On that day the name of the successor of Narru will be revealed as Best Grill Chef. The National Grill Competition at San Sebastian Gastronomika - Euskadi Basque Country started out in 2010 in the wake of the successful "Planeta Parrilla" congress, in a bid to demonstrate one of the most special and exquisite cookery techniques, and has remained in place for years as one of the events that arouses most expectation at the congress. 

Winners of the National Grill Competition:

2020 Narru (San Sebastián)
2019 Amaren (Bilbao)
2018 Asador Ana Mari (Irún, Gipuzkoa)
2107 Araneta (Zestoa, Gipuzkoa)
2016 Lomo Alto (Barcelona)
2015 Asador Laia Erretegia (Hondarribia, Gipuzkoa)
2014 Asador Patxikuena (Lezo, Gipuzkoa)
2013 El Txuleta (San Sebastián)
2012 El Txuleta (San Sebastián)
2011 Asador Kaialde (Hondarribia, Gipuzkoa)
2010 Restaurante Illarra (San Sebastián)

4th San Miguel National Russian Salad Championship

This got off to a sensational start in 2018. The San Miguel National Russian Salad Championship awards a prize to the restaurant producing one of Spanish gastronomy's star attractions, a traditional recipe which is nevertheless open to new versions, such as that prepared by the last winner. Chinchín Puerto (Caleta de Vélez, Málaga) took the prize in 2020 with prawns as a feature of the mayonnaise. 

Winners of the San Miguel National Russian Salad Championship:

2020 Chinchín Puerto (Caleta de Vélez, Málaga)
2019 Candado Golf (Málaga)
2018 Tapas 24 (Barcelona)

2nd National "Tierra de Sabor" Chickpea Championship

One of the most traditional and popular recipes, a challenge for the chefs. Which will be the best recipe with chickpeas as the main ingredient? The National "Tierra de Sabor" Chickpea Championship is back at San Sebastian Gastronomika to showcase the gastronomic potential of this product of Castilla, so versatile, which in this case must be cooked as either the Fuentesaúco or Pedrosillano variety, and presented either hot or cold.

Previous winner:

2020 Fierro (Valencia)

1st National Tenerife Tropical Fruit Dessert Competition

This year Gastronomika has set up a new competition with a 1,000 € cash prize - the National Tenerife Tropical Fruit Dessert Competition, to showcase and promote the tasty, healthy world of tropical and exotic fruit from this Canary Island, as restaurant desserts or in cakes. Any restaurant, either in the Canaries or outside the Islands, can enter the competition, provided the dessert uses at least one or several tropical Tenerife fruits (banana, papaya, avocado, manga, mango, tropical pineapple, maracuya etc.).

1st Spanish Apple Tart by Asturias Championship

One of the most emblematic global desserts, and also an example of different culinary traditions around the world. In a number of formats and versions all over the world (Apple Pie, Tatin, Strudel etc.), apple tart is the perfect dessert to be venerated at the re-encounter congress, which will be holding the 1st Spanish Apple Tart by Asturias Championship. With a 1,500 € cash prize, the competition is now open to contestants. San Sebastian Gastronomika-Euskadi Basque Country is looking for "2021's best apple tart".