Tapas Fair opens in Palma on Wednesday

PALMA
THE International Tapas Fair will commence in Palma this Wednesday, taking place over five days.
Organised by the Restaurateurs Assocciation of Majorca, the fair was publicly presented by its president, Antoni Mas, accompanied by deputy mayor Cristina Cerdo, Joan Gual, president of the Chamber of Commerce and representatives of collaborating companies Coca-Cola, Viajes Iberia and Sol-Meliá.

This year´s event, however, will witness several changes from the previous two years, the most signifcant being that the organisation TaPalma has decided to broaden the scope and appeal of the event.

The fair is now to be held throughout Palma instead of being based in the Pueblo Español, a move which, according to Mas, aims to invigorate parts of the city outside of the popular tourist season.

It is also hoped that an increase of tourist numbers will conincide with the long weekend or bridge caused by the traditional bank holiday for the feast of the Virgen del Pilar.

As well as recuperating life in the centre of Palma, the chance for the bars and restaurants in the event to widen their own area of distribution is an added advantage.

The bars and restaurants will be able to promote business and their particular type of food, while customers will not have to pay entrance, avoiding over-crowding and queues, and choosing various zones of the city according to their taste.

Copying the model of other cities, TaPalma has organised four “trails” for customers, taking in Palma´s old town, Santa Catalina (around the old market), the area around Plaza España-Conservatario and the fashionable harbour area of El Molinar.

So as to help confused visitors, 100'000 maps of the four trails and their tapas offerings have been made, while a maximum price of two euros has been placed on the tapas themselves.

Flags and signs will help identify the 42 bars and restaurants taking part in the event.
In order to participate, each establishment has created specially at least two tapas dishes to be presented at the Tapas Championship, whose jury will be presided by top chef Koldo Royo.

The public will also be able to elect the winner of the award for “My Favourite Tapas”, and all the voting coupons will be entered for a draw, with holidays, wine and mobiles as prizes.

The Tapas Fair starts at 12 noon on Wednesday, in the Borne, featuring six cooks, and the tapas they produce will be handed out free of charge.
The fair ends on October 14.
For more information on the event, go to www.tapalma.es