The Hotel Seaside Los Jameos Playa, in Puerto del Carmen, hosted this Wednesday morning the presentation of the seventh edition of the Official Agrocanarias Gofio Contest 2022, a contest that distinguishes the best gofios of the archipelago and revalues a landmark product in local gastronomy.
A total of 86 samples and 19 mills from the Canary Islands compete to become the best gofio in the islands in an edition that exceeds the number of samples and participating mills from last year.
Specifically, Lanzarote has 2 samples and one mill, Tenerife with 32 samples and 7 mills; La Palma with 2 samples and 1 mill; La Gomera with 18 samples and 2 mills; El Hierro with 3 samples and 1 mill; Gran Canaria with 25 samples and 6 mills and, finally, Fuerteventura with 4 samples and 1 mill.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Canary Islands, Alicia Vanoostende, the director of the ICCA, Basilio Pérez, and the Councilor of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Hugo Delgado, were in charge of presenting the contest, which begins this Wednesday with a preliminary phase and ends the following day with the final.
The regional head of the Area wanted to highlight the importance of gofio "as a local product and that generates economy in rural areas". "Contests such as Agrocanarias make this product known with the purpose of the consumer choosing it when making the purchase," he said.
In this line, she stated that "the main objective is that these awards help to sell and market the product better, enhancing its quality. We must recognize and reward the great work done by the producers, because behind a Canarian product is the effort of many people," added Vanoostende.
"We are working hand in hand with the sector to promote a fundamental Canarian product in our diet, unique and so rooted in the islands," said the director of the ICCA, Basilio Pérez. He also added that "within the complementary activities we have taught a children's tasting and a tasting for adults, the latter, a novelty in the Official Agrocanarias Gofio Contest, and a guided tour to the Molina de José María Gil and the Finca Vega Costa, with product tasting".
It should be remembered that in each of the categories, participants may opt for the Grand Gold Medal, Gold Medal and Silver Medal. The special distinctions are 'Best Gofio of the Canary Islands'; 'Best Organic Gofio'; 'Best Gofio of Local Grain'; 'Best Image and Presentation'; and 'Best Gofio Chosen by Our Elders 2022'.
As a novelty for this year and in line with the principles of sustainability and respect for the environment, the containers containing the gofio samples are made of millet and beet, while the spoons are made with millet flour. It is a material called PLA that is derived from natural, renewable and biodegradable raw materials.
Finally, the Councilor of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Hugo Delgado, wanted to point out that from the Island Administration they are committed "decisively to the local primary sector, so the celebration of the Agrocanarias Gofio Contest on the island is a very important boost for the sector".
