Jerez and its culture are celebrating after learning of its designation as Spanish Capital of Gastronomy 2026 by the Spanish Federation of Tourism Journalists and the Spanish Federation of Hospitality, following the deliberations of the jury of experts who previously evaluated the candidacies of the two cities that had reached the final stage: Jerez and Antequera.
In this way, Jerez continues to achieve milestones in strengthening its cultural project as a city in preparation for the 2031 European Capital of Culture candidacy process. In this context, the city presented itself as Spanish Capital of Gastronomy 2026 with the motto “Eat, drink and love Jerez” and with a program of activities structured around four strategic lines: legacy and tradition; Cooperation and exchange (through the interaction of gastronomy with other cultural expressions); sustainability (with a proposal aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals); and the talent and skills of gastronomy (with a program aimed at young people, training, and capacity building in the sector).
Thus, Jerez’s candidacy for the Spanish Capital of Gastronomy in 2026 was based on the vindication of local products from the countryside, traditional cuisine, avant-garde haute cuisine, Romani cuisine, tabancos, and the pairing of flamenco and cooking, among other strengths.
The jury that designated Jerez as the Spanish Capital of Gastronomy in 2026 was composed of representatives from the Spanish Government’s Ministries of Industry and Tourism and Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, as well as various sector entities: the Spanish Hospitality Industry Association, the Association of Travel Agencies, the Institute for Tourism Quality and Sustainability (ICTE), Saborea España, Fitur, the Eurotoques organization, the Tapas and Pincho Academy, the Circle of Centenary Restaurants, and journalists specializing in tourism and gastronomy.