CHEF BALFEGÓ COMPETITION 2026

Prodeca - Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food is organising the group participation of Catalan agri-food companies in the European Semi-final of the Chef Balfegó International Competition, to be held on 26 October 2026 in Paris.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITY

Chef Balfegó is one of the most prestigious international haute cuisine competitions in Europe, where Europe's best chefs compete for a place in the international grand final. The event brings together Michelin-starred chefs, specialist distributors, importers, HORECA buyers, food media, critics and European food content creators.

With the aim of strengthening the international positioning of quality Catalan food, wines and sparkling wines, Prodeca is organising an exclusive area made up of several culinary corners where the selected companies will showcase their products in a haute cuisine setting.

The tastings will be prepared by a chef appointed by the organisers, ensuring a consistent presentation in keeping with the culinary standard of the event, and the wines and sparkling wines will be presented by a sommelier.

In addition, participating companies will supply product so that it can feature in the dishes served at the official gala dinner, where the names of the collaborating brands will appear on the menu.

FORM OF PARTICIPATION

Each company will take part in one of the following culinary areas:

• Corner 1 · Extra virgin olive oil bar
• Corner 2 · Pa amb tomàquet and charcuterie
• Corner 3 · Pa amb tomàquet, cheeses and gourmet specialities
• Corner 4 · Prepared fish preserves
• Corner 5 · Vermouth and aperitif moment
• Corner 6 · Catalan dessert table
• Corner 7 · Catalan wines and sparkling wines

The corners, staffed by suitably trained members of the organising team, will be open during the networking slot before the gala, reserved exclusively for distributors, importers and industry professionals, as well as during the cocktail reception afterwards, depending on the type of each area.

TARGET COMPANIES

The activity is aimed at Catalan companies in the following sectors:

• Premium extra virgin olive oil
• Gourmet bread and bakery
• Charcuterie and cured meat products
• Artisan cheeses and gourmet specialities
• Gourmet prepared fish preserves
• Vermouth and gourmet aperitif products
• Traditional Catalan sweets and gourmet chocolate
• Premium segment wines and sparkling wines
• Other gourmet segment products, except water, beer, caviar and tuna companies

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

Interested companies must meet the following requirements:

• Have a premium culinary product in keeping with the event's positioning.
• Have products compatible with the French market, both commercially and in regulatory terms.
• Undertake to supply the product needed for the corner tastings (an estimated 200 attendees).
• Accept that the tastings will be prepared by the chef appointed by the organisers.

SELECTION OF COMPANIES

Participation in this activity is subject to prior approval by the event organisers, given the exclusive nature of the event.

Registering does not mean participation is automatically accepted. Final confirmation of each company and of the product submitted will be communicated later, based on criteria of quality, culinary suitability, consistency with the assigned corner and fit with the event's premium positioning.

COST OF PARTICIPATION

• Participation fee: €300 + VAT

The price includes:

• Participation in the area and in the preparation of the tastings by the chef engaged by the organisers.
• Presence in the relevant culinary corner.
• Inclusion of the product in the official dinner dishes, where applicable.
• Joint promotion of participating companies within the Catalonia area.
• Attendance, if desired, by one person per company at the semi-final in Paris.

Not included:

• Transport of the product to the event venue.
• Travel or accommodation costs should the company decide to attend.