Feria Gourmet Madrid 2025: The world's epicenter of haute cuisine

Establishing itself as the leading event for high-end food and beverage professionals, this edition brought together more than 2,100 exhibitors who will present 55,000 products, including 2,000 new products in the sector. Furthermore, a turnover of over €200 million is expected, with the participation of more than 100,000 professionals from the HORECA sector, as well as purchasing and export managers. The event also featured renowned chefs such as Pedro Subijana and Ángel León, who led an intensive program of activities that included competitions, cooking shows, tastings, and presentations, consolidating Spain as a global benchmark for quality gastronomy.

Spain brought together the world's most influential chefs

The 38th edition of Salón Gourmets turned Madrid into the global epicenter of haute cuisine, bringing together an impressive lineup of culinary talent never before seen in the Spanish capital. This Madrid 2025 gourmet fair stood out not only for its physical scale but also for the quality and relevance of its participants.

Michelin Stars and International Leaders at IFEMA

The IFEMA Madrid exhibition center became a true gastronomic Olympus where the brightest minds of the global culinary scene converged. Among the most notable attendees were legendary names such as Ferran Adrià, Albert Adrià, Gastón Acurio, Massimo Bottura, Pedro Subijana, Yoshihiro Narisawa, Martín Berasategui, and Quique Dacosta, creating an unprecedented concentration of culinary talent.

The Spanish capital already boasted 28 Michelin-starred restaurants, including the city's only three-star restaurant, DiverXO, helmed by the innovative Dabiz Muñoz. The city also boasts two two-star restaurants helmed by renowned chefs such as Quique Dacosta at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz and Dani García at the Hyatt Regency Hesperia.

This confluence of talent is no coincidence. Madrid has established itself as an international benchmark in the gastronomic sector and as a destination for haute cuisine, positioning itself as a magnet for the world's best chefs. During Salón Gourmets, many of these culinary masters will participate in exhibitions and showcookings where they will share their most innovative and avant-garde techniques.

The Torres Brothers, for example, shone at Madrid Fusión 2025 with a showcooking where they prepared two dishes from their winter menu in front of a packed audience of professionals. These types of demonstrations are a fundamental part of the appeal of the ifema gourmet show, which offers direct inspiration from the best chefs on the planet.

Why they choose Salón Gourmets as a global platform

The prestige of Salón Gourmets as the most important quality food and beverage fair in Europe is the main reason why top chefs choose this event as a platform to showcase their talent. With more than 2,000 exhibitors presenting around 55,000 high-end products to more than 100,000 professionals, the event's reach and impact are unmatched.

However, beyond the numbers, top chefs particularly value the ability of the IFEMA gourmet show to bring together all the relevant players in the gastronomic ecosystem in a single space: producers, distributors, international buyers, specialized media, and gourmet consumers.

This meeting at IFEMA allows chefs to:

Access the most exclusive raw materials, essential for their creative work

Establish business contacts with suppliers from around the world

Exchange knowledge with other top-level professionals

Disseminate their culinary philosophy and consolidate their personal brand among a specialized audience

Furthermore, the IFEMA Gourmet Show has proven to be a commercial platform where both exhibitors and visitors can renew their network of contacts and expand their businesses. According to data from the previous edition, almost 92% of participating firms repeat the experience thanks to the management and contacts made at the fair itself.

For many chefs, participating in the Madrid gourmet fair represents a unique opportunity to discover emerging trends, present innovations, and position themselves at the forefront of the sector. This year, the program includes thousands of activities including competitions, championships, demonstrations, and tastings that will further elevate the level of an already exceptional event.

Salón Gourmets 2025 Turns Madrid into a Gastronomic Capital

With unprecedented numbers, the last edition of Salón Gourmets positioned Madrid as the world's gastronomic epicenter for four intense days. For the first time in its history, this event occupied a total area of ​​more than 90,000 square meters, equivalent to twelve football fields, making it the largest exhibition of gourmet products ever held in Europe.

More than 2,000 exhibitors and 90,000 m² of gourmet innovation

The Salón Gourmets 2025, which held its 38th edition from April 7 to 10, occupied six full halls of IFEMA Madrid for the first time (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8), marking a milestone in the history of this event, which began in 1976. This growth reflects the unstoppable evolution of a fair that has established itself as a benchmark within the Spanish and European agri-food scene.

The scale of this gourmet fair in Madrid is truly impressive: it hosted 2,100 exhibitors presenting more than 55,000 products, including 2,000 new products. Of these new products, more than 900 are organic, demonstrating the growing importance of sustainability in the sector.

Likewise, more than 1,000 professional activities were held across the nine venues set up for the occasion. Among the more than 110,000 professional visitors were business owners from the HORECA sector, purchasing and export managers, catering professionals, journalists, and figures from the world of sports, entertainment, and the arts. This massive turnout confirms the interest aroused by the IFEMA gourmet fair both nationally and internationally.

Participation from 30 countries and all autonomous communities

The international dimension of the Salón Gourmets 2025 will be evident with the participation of 30 countries, which brought their most exclusive products and high-end delicatessens. Among them, Italy will have a special role as this edition's Country of Honor, which allowed for a deeper understanding of the richness of Italian cuisine through various activities.

Furthermore, the fair was a comprehensive showcase for Spanish products, with representation from all the autonomous communities. Among them, the Valencian Community was featured as a Guest Community, while Galicia and Madrid had their own venues for specific activities.

Particularly noteworthy was the presence of the Community of Madrid, which was represented by 40 agri-food companies, 30 of which are certified under the M Certified Product Guarantee Mark. The Madrid area offered tastings ranging from oils, cured meats, and sweets to wines, beers, liqueurs, and vermouths produced in the region.

In addition, the event featured a Wine Tunnel coordinated by the Regulatory Council of the Vinos de Madrid PDO, where trade visitors could sample a wide selection of Madrid wines. This initiative was added to other thematic areas that highlighted the diversity and excellence of Spanish produce.

Without a doubt, Salón Gourmets 2025 not only reaffirms its position as the leading trade fair for quality food and beverages in Europe, but also consolidates Madrid as a true international gastronomic capital, creating a unique setting where tradition, innovation, and excellence converge.

Competitions and cooking shows raise the culinary bar

The most anticipated culinary spectacle of the season comes to life at Salón Gourmets 2025, where more than 1,200 activities transformed IFEMA Madrid into a magnificent stage for gastronomic competition and creativity. Over four intense days, the best professionals in the sector demonstrated their skills in competitions that elevate culinary art to its highest expression.

Sommelier championships, pizzas, burgers, and more

The prestigious 30th Tierra de Sabor Spanish Sommelier Championship brought together 51 professionals who will compete to represent Spain at the World Championship. The previous edition saw Marta Cortizas Fernández, sommelier at El Celler de Can Roca, named the Best Sommelier of Spain 2025, highlighting the growing role of women in this field.

The IFEMA gourmet show also hosted competitions celebrating increasingly popular disciplines, such as the 4th Spanish Gourmet Pizza Championship, directed by Jesús Marquina, a five-time world champion. This competition evaluated 10 different categories, from Neapolitan pizzas to dough acrobatics.

On the other hand, the 5th Burger Combat will test six chefs who will have just 20 minutes to create gourmet burgers with a type of bread they will only discover during the competition. Bilbao native Manuel Andrés Pérez Álvarez took the title in the most recent edition.

Equally noteworthy are the 17th Oyster Openers Championship, won by Jesús Antonio Ruiz Díaz after opening 40 oysters in 6 minutes and 43 seconds, and the traditional 31st Ham Slicing Competition, which recognized the skill of Josué Falcón Morales.

Live Demonstrations Featuring Cutting-Edge Techniques

Culinary demonstrations represent another cornerstone of the Madrid gourmet fair. Attendees will be able to witness innovative techniques from figures such as Miguel Ángel de la Cruz, from the La Botica de Matapozuelos restaurant, who will perform a show cooking show featuring Valladolid products.

The Madrid region stage will host numerous exhibitions, including Xandra Luque, brand ambassador for M Certified Product. Additionally, the Catalunya Menu, World Region of Gastronomy 2025 event will bring together stars such as Paco Pérez (Miramar), Jeroni Castell (Les Moles), and Cyril Vermeulen (Celler de Can Roca) for live cooking.

The IFEMA gourmet fair also hosted events such as the 4th Official Tapas and Pinchos Championship of the Community of Madrid and the 5th Best Torrija Competition organized by ACYRE. These competitions evaluate not only the final result, but also aspects such as presentation, technique, innovation, and respect for traditional products.

Both the championships and the showcookings elevate the level of Spanish gastronomy, positioning the Salón Gourmets as a showcase of national and international culinary excellence. During the four days of the fair, cuisine is transformed into a spectacle where tradition and innovation merge to the delight of more than 110,000 professional visitors.

Themed areas showcase the richness of Spanish products

Among the many attractions of Salón Gourmets 2025, the themed areas designed to showcase the extraordinary richness of Spanish gastronomy stand out. These sensory areas allow professional visitors to experience firsthand the diversity and quality of national products, becoming true ambassadors of the Spain brand.

Wine tunnel and olive oil tunnel as Sensory Experiences

The 29th Wine Tunnel was presented as a unique sensory experience where visitors could taste 358 single-varietal wines from 58 Spanish wine-growing regions and 277 wineries. This space, coordinated by the Regulatory Council of the Vinos de Madrid PDO (DOP), offered a special selection of Madrid wines, allowing visitors to discover the region's oenological richness. The wines on display were meticulously selected by technicians from the Ministry of Agriculture, along with the Wine Gourmets Guide Tasting Committee.

Furthermore, the 7th EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) Tunnel was another of the major attractions of the Madrid gourmet fair. This space featured more than 100 varieties with Designations of Origin and Protected Geographical Indications. Visitors were able to appreciate the extraordinary Oleoteca, comprised of 600 extra virgin olive oils from all producing regions, including the thirty PDOs and three PGIs recognized in Spain. In addition, professional tasters will advise the public and answer questions.

Innovation Area and Organic Products on the Rise

The Innovation Area is set up as a showcase where more than 252 new developments in quality foods and beverages will be exhibited, from which the prestigious Salón Gourmets Awards will be chosen. This space reflects the innovative capacity of the Spanish agri-food sector, highlighting the latest trends.

Simultaneously, the Organic Exhibition Area, dedicated to organic products, showcased more than 200 products and 917 organic products, demonstrating the growing interest in sustainability. This area gains prominence with each edition, showcasing alternatives for increasingly environmentally conscious consumers.

These themed spaces, along with the #AlimentosdesEspaña / The Richest Country in the World area created by the Ministry of Agriculture, featuring cooking shows and presentations, make the ifema gourmet show the ultimate showcase of Spanish gastronomic richness, showing the world why Spain is considered one of the culinary paradises par excellence.

How does this event position Spain on the gourmet map?

The Salón Gourmets represents much more than a simple food fair; it has become a strategic driver that consolidates Spain's position as a global gastronomic powerhouse. This event has evolved into an international showcase of incalculable value for the Spanish agri-food sector.

Economic and Media Impact of the Salón Gourmets

The figures that support the importance of the Salón Gourmets are truly impressive. Each edition generates an estimated economic impact of €200 million, attracting international buyers from more than 100 countries. Furthermore, the agri-food sector represents approximately 18% of GDP in some Spanish regions and accounts for up to 34.2% of total exports recorded in 2024.

Furthermore, the media impact of the IFEMA gourmet fair is valued at €23,211,515, with a total audience exceeding 4.214 billion across various channels: 6.4 million television viewers, more than 4.179 billion online visits, 2.9 million radio listeners, and 25.6 million newspaper readers.

International projection of the Spanish gastronomic brand

The Salón Gourmets serves as an ambassador of excellence for Spanish gastronomy, decisively contributing to Spain's position as a top-tier culinary destination. In 2023, international tourists spent more than €17 billion on gastronomic experiences in Spain, representing 24% more than before the pandemic.

Spanish gastronomy as a whole currently represents 27% of the national GDP, with an economic contribution of €374.575 billion in 2023. This sector generates and sustains 7.2 million jobs, equivalent to 37% of total employment in the country.

Officially recognized since 1991 by the State Secretariat for Trade of the Ministry of Economy as an International Fair, the Salón Gourmets has successfully positioned Spain as the European epicenter of high-quality food and beverages. Its relevance is confirmed by its membership in the UFI (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry), consolidating its position as an essential platform for promoting Spain's gastronomic brand internationally.

Without a doubt, Salón Gourmets 2025 marks a turning point for Spanish gastronomy, transforming Madrid into the world capital of haute cuisine for four extraordinary days. The confluence of 2,100 exhibitors, more than 100,000 professionals, and legendary figures such as Ferran Adrià and Massimo Bottura demonstrates the convening power of this unprecedented event.

The magnitude of the event, with 90,000 square meters dedicated to culinary excellence, reflects the exponential growth of the Spanish gastronomic sector. The expected turnover of €200 million and the participation of 30 countries certainly consolidate Spain's position as an international benchmark in quality food and beverages.

Thus, the show stands out not only for its impressive numbers but also for its ability to drive innovation through more than 1,200 activities, from high-level competitions to cutting-edge cooking shows. The presence of 2,000 new products, including 900 organic products, confirms the sector's commitment to evolution and sustainability.

The resounding success of Salón Gourmets 2025 therefore reaffirms Spain's leadership on the global gastronomic scene, setting new standards of excellence and definitively consolidating Madrid as the global epicenter of the gourmet sector.