The professional jury, composed of 18 judges, will taste the dough and the finished croquette, evaluating the creaminess and flavor of the former and the presentation, texture, and finish of the latter, to determine the best croquettes in each category, those deserving of special prizes, and, among them all, which will be crowned the Best Croquette of Zaragoza and the surrounding province. The outcome: Monday, May 25, after the Grand Final, which takes place throughout the morning at Aura.

FINALIST CROQUETTES

JAVIER MENÉ SPECIAL PRIZE FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR THE BEST CROQUETTE MADE WITH VEGETABLES 

•CERVINO BAR.

Borage. 

Pairing: ARAGONIA CHARDONNAY

• RESTAURANT LA BODEGA DE CHEMA

Borage with clams and basil breading.

Pairing: COTO DE HAYAS VERDEJO.

•ARGA RESTAURANT

«"ARGA-style ratatouille." Fresh cow's milk, butter, Bajo Aragón PDO olive oil, green and red peppers, Fuentes de Ebro PDO onions, garlic, eggplant, zucchini, tomato, Provençal herbs, and tomato powder. 

Pairing: AMBAR 1900.

ALDELÍS SPECIAL PRIZE FOR THE BEST CROQUETTE MADE WITH CHICKEN OR TURKEY

•ARRIAZU HOUSE

«"La Chilindrona". Chicken in chilindrón sauce with pink tomato from Barbastro. 

Pairing: AMBAR 125.

•LA CAVA. 

«"La Chilindrona" chicken in chilindrón sauce. 

Pairing: CENTENARY GARNACHA.

•DALAI VALDESPARTERA. 

 “"The kid eater". Free-range chicken with Fuentes de Ebro PDO onions and Ambar Oro. SUITABLE FOR CELIACS. 

Pairing: ARAGONIA YOUNG RED WINE. 

CATEGORY BEST CROQUETTE TERNASCO DE ARAGÓN IGP

•MESÓN LOS CÁNTAROS.

«"Ternasqueta". Ternasco de Aragón IGP, milk infused with ternasco and panko coating. 

Pairing: CENTENARY GARNACHA.

•CAFÉ DEL MARQUÉS. 

Ternasco de Aragón IGP with a heart of Ambar 125.

Pairing: AMBAR 125.

•DUNGEON RESTAURANT. 

«Ternasquita Pibil." Ternasco de Aragón IGP, achiote, lime, orange, apple cider vinegar, cumin, oregano, chipotle pepper and red onion. 

Pairing: CENTENARY GARNACHA.

• RESTAURANT EL BURGOLÉS. 

Ternasco de Aragón IGP stewed with Garnacha wine from Bodegas Aragonesas.

Pairing: ARAGONIA SPECIAL SELECTION.

CATEGORY BEST TERUEL HAM CROQUETTE PDO

•BUNKERBAR

“"Choice of pig's trotters." Pig's trotters and Teruel PDO ham.

•THE TRICK

“Teruel PDO ham with pistachio”. SUITABLE FOR CELIACS. 

Pairing: AMBAR ESPECIAL GLUTEN FREE.

•LACLAUPAULE VERMUTERIA.

«"La Turolense con Clase": The undisputed star of Teruel PDO ham, enhanced by the elegance of Albarracín cheese. Teruel tradition elevated to its highest form. GLUTEN-FREE AVAILABLE. 

Pairing: FAGUS. 

•SOPHIA BISTRO. 

«Sophia's croquette.

Pairing: FAGUS.

CATEGORY: BEST CROQUETTE MADE WITH FOODS FROM ARAGON

•BASHO. 

«"The Brave Little Pig." Slow-cooked onion, fresh Teruel IGP pork shoulder, Ambar Export beer, crispy pork belly and panko breadcrumbs. Pork belly powder, cured egg yolk, toasted butter, and cotton candy. 

Pairing: AMBAR EXPORT.

•CHICAGO. 

"Ropa vieja" (Pyrenees beef, Teruel DOP ham, Duroc pork, leek, carrot and Fuentes de Ebro DOP onion) with Pedro Ximénez reduction. 

Pairing: FAGUS.

•MARA RESTAURANT.

«Korean Taco. Teruel IGP pork, ginger, soy, oil, sesame and chives.

•KENTYA. 

«Croquemuuuu. Oxtail stewed with Garnacha Centenaria red wine, portobello mushroom, foie gras and caramelized Fuentes de Ebri DOP onion. 

Pairing: CENTENARY GARNACHA.

BEST INNOVATIVE CROQUETTE CATEGORY

•THE FLEUR-DE-LIS.

Duroc pig's trotter stew, smoked tuna belly carpaccio and piparras peppers.”.

Pairing: CENTENARY GARNACHA.

•SAN SIRO. 

«"San Siro 01 Special Solid Beer". Made with Ambar 125, Ambar Especial, chicken broth, brewer's yeast flakes, and Fuentes de Ebro PDO onions. 

Pairing: AMBAR LA 125

•MOOD POOL & BEER. 

"The Queen's Gambit." Red prawn. 

Pairing: ARAGONIA ROSÉ.

•ENTALTO

«"La Sobrada. Sobrasada, cheese and rosemary honey. SUITABLE FOR CELIACS.".

•ENVERO GASTRO WINE. 

Cod in pil-pil sauce, accompanied by a reduction of carabineros coral and lime and honey gel.

Pairing: OXIA ORANGE.

Other awards

In addition, the jury will choose from among all the finalists the best croquette suitable for celiacs, the best pairings with Amber Beers as with the Wines from Aragonese Wineries and the one with the highest score among all the finalists will be crowned as Best Croquette in Zaragoza and province 2026, prize that sponsors Makro Saragossa.

Following the presentation to the professional jury and tasting of the finalist croquettes, and during the vote count, attendees will have the opportunity to share the selected croquettes, paired with wines, beers, and vermouth from our sponsors and partners, with restaurateurs, sponsors, collaborators, journalists, and influencers. The event will conclude with the awards ceremony.

The 8th Croquette Competition of Zaragoza and province is organized by The Zaragozan Gastronome, produced by Almozara Agency, is sponsored by Aragon Taste of Truth, Aragonese Wineries, PGI Ternasco de Aragón, Teruel Ham PDO, Aldelís, Makro Zaragoza and Amber; the collaboration of Fruits and Vegetables Javier Mené, La Olivera de Magallón, Caius, DOP Sierra del Moncayo Olive Oil and Valdepablo Vermouth and Go Aragón, Enjoy Zaragoza, The Good Life in Zaragoza and Gastronomic Map of Zaragoza as media partners.

More information about the competition can be found at The Zaragoza Gastronome's website