The Aragonese Academy of Gastronomy celebrated on November 26, at the Patio de la Infanta of the Ibercaja Foundation, the presentation of its annual awards, as part of the thirtieth anniversary of its founding. The event, filled with emotions, was inaugurated by the co-founder and Honorary Medal recipient of the academy, Lourdes Plana, and concluded by the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Manuel Blasco.
Award for Best Oil Mill: Fernando Alcober and Sons Oil Mill
The secretary of the AAG, Juan Barbacil, who conducted the event, also dedicated the praise for Best Oil Mill to Fernando Alcober and sons, stating that “excellence arises from the fusion between tradition and perseverance.” The oil mill in Valdetormo is “the perfect example of how respect for family legacy is compatible with the pursuit of perfection, bridging ancestral knowledge and the most advanced technology.” Gabriel Alcober accepted the award, thanking the AAG for supporting “a way of working that honors the land, tradition, and flavor.”
Award for Best Winery: Care
Juan Cacho presented the award for Best Winery, on its twenty-fifth anniversary, to Care, which received the recognition for the second time, “a unique achievement,” as noted by the academic. To justify this repeat honor, he emphasized that “since its foundation, it has not changed its philosophy of providing consumers with the wines they demand at any given moment,” and noted the winery’s constant evolution, incorporation of the latest technologies, and the efforts of its team. The award was accepted by its sales manager, Nacho Lázaro, who stressed the importance of producing wines “that stand out in the overall character of a harsh and austere land.”
Award for Best Family Restaurant: Casa Carlos
José Luis Melero listed the reasons why the AAG awarded the Best Family Restaurant prize to Casa Carlos, located in Castejón de Valdejasa, “an essential reference of Aragonese gastronomy, which has extraordinarily popularized marinated rabbit to the point of making it a hallmark of the region.” Melero recounted the history and merits of the establishment opened by the Oca García family in the 1950s before presenting the diploma to an emotional Carlos Oca, who dedicated it to his “parents, siblings, workers, and customers, without whom we would be nothing.”
Award for Best Research Work: Ambar
Jorge Díez praised Ambar, awarded for its research work, in the year of its 125th anniversary. After reviewing the prestigious international awards that preceded the AAG’s award, he highlighted the “perpetual restless and innovative spirit” that makes the Zaragoza-based brewery deserving of this honor. The academic concluded his praise by quoting master brewer Antonio Fumanal: “we experiment, have fun, and learn by making and sharing different beers.” Sergio Elizalde, director of Cervezas Ambar, upon accepting the award, dedicated an ode to beer, “a synonym for civilization.”
Award for Best Dissemination Work: Cristina Martínez
The president of the AAG was responsible for praising the recipient of the award for best gastronomic dissemination work, food photographer Cristina Martínez, “someone who, in addition to narrating with words, knows how to capture the culinary essence of Aragon through images, showcasing what happens at every table, kitchen, or restaurant with light and framing.” Cristina, who would have normally been covering the event, thanked the award with an emotional speech in which she acknowledged “the luck to dedicate myself to what I love most.”
Award for Best Restaurant: Canfranc Express
Miguel Ángel Vicente presented the Best Restaurant 2025 award to Canfranc Express, which is run by Ana Acín and Eduardo Salanova, who could not attend but were represented by Alain Lago, the director of the hotel that hosts it. After praising Acín and Salanova as “a strong creative tandem,” the director of El Gastrónomo emphasized that Canfranc Express “is not just a place to eat well. It is a meeting point between tradition and modernity, landscape and table, family memory and international projection.” In his gratitude, Lago highlighted “the dedication of Ana, Eduardo, and the entire team and the commitment of the Barceló Group to high cuisine.”
Special Award: Grupo Más Farré
This year, one of the special awards granted by the AAG—beyond the traditional categories—was awarded to the Montisonense group Más Farré, praised by Santiago Lascasas. An award, the academic said, “that not only recognizes a business history but also a philosophy: to turn every moment into an unforgettable experience.” José Más, representing his brother Javier, dedicated the award, deeply moved, to their predecessors, their father Ángel, and “to all our fellow hospitality workers.”
Honorary Medal: Government of Aragon
Another exceptional recognition was that with which the AAG wanted to “above all, express gratitude” to the Government of Aragon for “the continuous, loyal, and consistent support for the academy’s work over these three decades.” The president extended thanks not only to the counselors who “from day-to-day politics have made this support to the academy possible for the past 30 years” but also to general directors and officials of the regional administration. The award was collected by counselor Manuel Blasco, congratulating the AAG on 30 years of work and committing to continue supporting it in its important role.
