Marbella named as the gastronomical Capital of Andalusia

According to Marcos Granda, owner of Michelin-star restaurant Skina, Marbella is the undisputed gastronomic capital of Andalusia, a veritable haven for gourmets and foodies from across the globe. The trend to serve home-grown produce that doesn't have millions of air miles attached to its name has won many fans and has significantly changed local gastronomy for the better. This policy has paid off international: on 15th November, Marbella will host the prestigious Michelin Guide Spain 2015 event at the  Salón Real of the Hotel Los Monteros.

A Chef's Dream come true

Marcos Granda said: " This is a dream for everyone that forms part of the gastronomy of the city. This event will give Marbella global recognition in the gastronomic world.”

Marbella has been successfully attracting a number of renown chefs and even the prolonged financial crisis in Spain has not totally wiped out fine dining and the dreams of ambitious chefs in Marbella's eateries.

Granda added: "Marbella is now the gastronomic capital, not only due to the Michelin star restaurants but the other restaurants that do things well. Marbella will always be Marbella and the people will come and see the difference. People eat much more natural foods nowadays; they don’t like "heavy" style food. More than anything they don’t want to finish eating with the sensation of a stomach full of calories and fats."

Hospitality Industry Guideline

Publishing annual, the Michelin Guide is the oldest and most widely known international hotel and restaurant guide by which the gastronomic industry measures its achievements. Every entry shows the name and address, contact details and a brief description of the hotel or restaurant under review. There is also a rating system, which can make - and break - a restaurant or hotel's reputation.

In previous years the Michelin Guide Spain has been launched in cities like Barcelona and Madrid, but for 2015 the organisers have turned for the first time to a holiday and leisure resort. Marbella was chosen from among the hundreds of destinations the various Costas have to offer. It's a great honour and amazing opportunity for local chefs to be recognised on the international hospitality stage.

In mid-November Marbella will be buzzing with food writers, chefs and food critics from around the world; the international media will cover the launch, which is the most important gastronomic event in Spain. Present at the launch will be Marbella's Mayoress, who will be in the company of Michelin-starred chefs from restaurants El Lago, Skina and Dani Garcia of BiBo, Restaurante Dani Garcia and La Moraga.

The Michelin Guide 2015 event will certainly boost Marbella’s already high profile further in the international arena of gastronomy. Since foodies don't mind, whether they come in summer, autumn or winter, Marbella can be marketed as a gourmet destination year-round.

Typically this type of marketing attracts more affluent and adventurous tourists, visitors who are happy to try different types of cuisine. They travel around Andalusia region to sample various styles of cuisine, providing a much-needed winter tourism income for rural and fishing village communities.

Marbella's fabulous restaurants include wonderful eateries in Elviria, a great year-round location to rent or buy holiday homes:

The Nikki Marbella Beach restaurant serves international cuisine and overlooks one of the best beaches in eastern Marbella.

The Beach House, also located in Elviria, is a restaurant and beach club which serves international cuisine right by the beach.

Sloanes Bistro offers innovative cuisine in laid-back style and atmosphere. A good place to come after a day spent at the nearby tree-top family adventure park!

The sister restaurant to Marbella's fashionable Beckitt's restaurant, The Playwright Restaurant in Elviria serves mouth-watering international cuisine around the clock.

Ranchón Cubano is essentially a typical Spanish restaurant but serves delicious dishes with a Cuban twist and offers steamy Salsa dancing, so punters can work up an appetite - or work off some calories after their meal. If you like seafood, yummy mojitos and swinging your hips, this is the place for you.

Elviria's Vincci Estrella del Mar Beach Club offers not just panoramic views of the sea and coast but also an extensive and utterly delicious menu.