Zaragoza begins the search for the best croquettes 2026

Organizers, collaborators, and sponsors at today's presentation / Cristina Martínez – ALMOZARA AGENCY

Today the 8th Croquette Competition of Zaragoza and Province The competition, which takes place between May 8th and 17th in 35 establishments in the city and province, features 60 amazing croquettes vying for a spot in the grand final on May 25th, where the Best Croquette of Zaragoza 2026 will be chosen by the public.

This afternoon, the following took place in Hotel Zentral Ave from Zaragoza the Presentation of the eighth edition of the Croquette Competition of Zaragoza and province, the most anticipated gastronomic event of spring.

The team members of The Gastronome of Zaragoza, accompanied by the sponsors Aldelís, Makro Saragossa, Aragonese Wineries, Amber, Aragón Sabor de Verdad, IGP Aragon lamb and Teruel Ham PDO; collaborators ―Casa Valdepablo Vermouth, Oil press The Olive Tree of Magallón, CAIUS, DOP Sierra del Moncayo Oil and Fruits Javier Mené— and social media partners of the competition, Gastronomic Map of Zaragoza, Enjoy Zaragoza, Go Aragón and The Good Life in Zaragoza, They have announced the new developments to hoteliers, presidents of industry associations and specialized media.

Alberto Ascaso, director of Hotel Zentral Ave, The usual venue for this event welcomed those present before the journalist from El Gastrónomo Zaragozano, Cristina Arguilé, will go on to present "what has become a classic in the gastronomic and hospitality calendar of Zaragoza".

A meeting that will take place between the May 8th and 17th, in which they participate 35 establishments with 60 proposals As the editor pointed out, "many are entered in several categories, even all of them: for best croquette innovative, of Teruel PDO ham, of Ternasco de Aragón IGP or of Aragonese foods of differentiated quality»Among all these,« he continued, “will be the best croquette in Zaragoza, chosen by a professional jury in the…” grand finale the day May 25 in the hotel complex Aura».

But before that, during the 10 days of the competition, it is «the public the one who will visit the 35 participating establishments, voting the proposals in the ballot boxes of each bar or restaurant finalists and winning over a thousand direct prizes, with the “scratch and win”"of the ballots, among which are gifts from Editorial Lunchtime and The Zaragozan Gastronome, "...such as cookbooks or newspaper subscriptions, but also from our collaborators and sponsors, such as wines, extra virgin olive oil, beers, etc.".

Very “tempting” prizes”

This year's new features mainly concern the prizes that, in addition to the ceramic plates from Muel, will be awarded to the winners in different categories or subcategories. "Such as the magnificent prize for best pairing with wines from Aragonese Wineries, endowed with 25 boxes of wine valued in 1,000 euros; to the best croquette made with Ternasco de Aragón PGI, consisting of 500 euros worth of product, as well as the awards for the best croquette with poultry, with an endowment in 500 euros in product from Aldelís, or to the best croquette with vegetables, who will receive product from Fruits and Vegetables Javier Mené valued at 500 euros».

Next, some of the sponsors and collaborators present —the representatives of Makro Zaragoza and Aragón Sabor de Verdad were unable to attend— proceeded to say a few words. Eric Paré, director of Aragonese Wineries, He highlighted "the classics that never fail, such as the Pairing a good croquette with a great wine». Ricardo Mosteo, president of the Teruel Ham PDO Council, For its part, it has emphasized the importance that the CRDOP has that the people of Zaragoza and Huesca also feel that Jamón de Teruel PDO is our product, "Thanks to initiatives like this competition.".

In the second year that the Ternasco de Aragón IGP The secretary of the CRIGP is the protagonist of one of the competition categories, Patricio Pérez, has highlighted «the The chefs are doing a great job with Ternasco de Aragón., demonstrating its versatility.". Oscar Abad, from the Marketing and Communications department of Aldelís, has highlighted Aldelís's connection, "which has led over 50 years making croquettes»", with the contest. Ángel Campo, from Cervezas Ambar, has focused, on the 125th anniversary of the brewery, asserting the need «to celebrate, "And what better way to do it than by eating some croquettes with some beers.".

Rafael García, manager of The Olive Tree of Magallón, who has emphasized the health benefits of EVOO and Javier Mené, from Javier Mené Fruits, who has expressed his satisfaction at collaborating with the contest from the first edition, They have brought the interventions of the collaborators and sponsors to a close.

Innovation, pairings and effort

Cristina Arguilé wanted to express her gratitude for the effort, "not only of the 35 establishments which are presented, among which several are from rural areas, which is very commendable, but also to acknowledge the interest of those who would have liked to participate but, for reasons beyond their control, were unable to. We look forward to seeing you.

He also emphasized "the growing creativity which is seen in the increasingly surprising proposals; in the pairings, Year after year they become more worked on, studied and sophisticated, both with Ambar beers as well as with wines from Bodegas Aragonesas, as well as in the added difficulty for those who choose to offer croquettes suitable for celiacs, making the competition more inclusive».

Award-winning croquettes from last year's competition, which were tasted today at the presentation / Cristina Martínez – ALMOZARA AGENCY

Following the presentation, the winners of the previous edition —Dalai Valdespartera, Mara, El Truco and El Burgolés— have delighted all attendees with their champion croquettes, cooked on site and paired with beers, wines and vermouths from the sponsors and collaborators of the VIII Croquette Competition of Zaragoza and Province.