The 'Parakitchen' team from APCA presented a menu that convinced the jury, highlighting an Alicante-style salad as an appetizer, a main course of salmon crust on Nordic cream with green asparagus, and a 'caprichos' dessert. The awards ceremony was held in the basement of the Central Market, at the Cerca facilities, with the presence of the Councilor for Commerce, Lidia López, who was responsible for presenting the awards.
In second place was the 'Fogones' team from the San Rafael Center, with dishes such as pericana and cod garlic, a 'Olla de Blat', and the dessert 'Brisa d'estiu'. The third prize went to the Asperger association (Aspali), with their 'Pikotea' team, who offered stuffed eggs, rice with lean pork, and a fruit salad.
Councilor Lidia López emphasized the "great level of the dishes and the quality of the menus", and thanked the "participation and motivation of the associations and entities" involved in this project. She highlighted that the contest's objective is to promote healthy eating, generate responsible consumption habits, and promote local products.
A total of seven teams reached the final. The jury, composed of chefs from Alicante restaurants, experts in Nutrition, Health, and Sport, students from the UA's Nutrition Degree, the Councilor for Consumption, representatives from Mercalicante, Amas de Casa, and Cerca, evaluated the healthiness of the ingredients, the menu's balance, the clarity in explaining the recipes, the decoration, and creativity.
The ‘Lápiz y Cuchara’ contest has been held annually since Cerca was established, and the City Council is committed to continuing it due to its high participation and its ability to foster important and sustainable eating habits. Councilor Lidia López expressed satisfaction with the program's success, which each year attracts more participants and teaches people to "eat better, to cook by buying fresh, zero-kilometer products from our municipal Markets", while also promoting associative participation in the city.
