The Moraira Yacht Club hosted the presentation of the Gourmet Race 2025 this Thursday, an event that this year celebrates its twelfth edition with a record participation: 36 boats will compete next year. Saturday October 4 in this unique gastronomic regatta.
The program will start on Friday, October 3 with the presentation of teams, presentation of sponsor gifts, and a welcome cocktail reception. This is where the technical instructions prior to the race will be given. On Saturday, the boats will depart in stages from the Gas Station Dock in the Port of Moraira, at which time they will receive the secret product they must use in their onboard culinary creations.
Tomás Solano, motorboating representative, explained that "the regatta will begin at 9:30 a.m. with staggered starts for two boats, and the crossing will last approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. We emphasize that each boat is identified with a code, so that the judging panel can be completely impartial, as they do not know the authorship of the designs."
For his part, Ramón Martí, technical director and vice president of the Club, added that "the boats must complete a course in Moraira Bay of approximately 15 miles, consistently and within specified times, passing three beacons."
At the same time, the public will be able to enjoy the gastronomic village with entertainment, show cooking, and tastings. Andrés Rivero, director of the Moraira Yacht Club and moderator of the event, announced one of the most anticipated moments: "We can now announce the creator of this year's show cooking. Nazario Cano, of Ritual Terra Hotels, will be in charge."
A top-level jury
The 2025 edition brings together a top-level jury chaired by Alberto Ferruz (BonAmb Restaurant, Xàbia), accompanied by renowned professionals such as Pepe Rodríguez (El Bohío, Illescas and MasterChef jury), José Manuel Miguel (Beat, Calpe), Enmanuelle Baron (Casa
Pepa, Ondara), José Vicente Pérez (El Bressol, Valencia), Pepa Muñoz (El Qüenco de Pepa, Madrid; World Central Kitchen), Pepa Navarro (El Cranc, Altea), Marta Devesa (El Hogar del Pescador, Vilajoiosa), Nazario Cano (Ritual Terra Hotels, Moraira and Xàbia), the journalist María Eizaguirre, Arturo Salvetti (Gallo de Oro, Valencia), the gastronomic journalist Pedro G. Mocholí, and Óscar Carrión (GastroUni, University of Alicante).
"This year we have an exceptional jury, including Pepe Rodríguez del Bohío, host and judge of MasterChef Spain. All of this is thanks to one of our main sponsors, Unione Movilidad, to which Visauto belongs," emphasized regatta director Juan Moll.
A year of anniversary and tribute
The event coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Moraira Yacht Club, which gives this edition a special character. According to its president, Juan Vicente Oller, "I want to express my gratitude for the special effort made this year, our 50th anniversary, which has generated particular excitement. This year, we will pay tribute to two NGOs that have actively collaborated in helping with the DANA (National Association of Solidarity and Development) in Valencia," referring to Alicante Gastronómica Solidaria and World Central Kitchen.
The importance of the event was also highlighted from the institutional sphere. The councilwoman of Tourism, Veronica Martinez, stated that "the Gourmet Race goes beyond a traditional culinary competition; it has become a national benchmark for gastronomic creativity, seafaring tradition, sportsmanship, and tourism excellence."
The mayor of Teulada-Moraira, Raul LlobellHe emphasized that "the Gourmet Race is a unique product. We are pioneers, and this event puts Teulada-Moraira on the map. I want to congratulate the Moraira Yacht Club and the entire organization for their efforts, which generate a level of excellence year after year. I take this opportunity to reiterate the City Council's support and to invite everyone, as it is an open event."
