Who’s Who in «Gastronomy is Female»: Women Leading Rural Cuisine in Aragon

The event Gastronomy is Female, organized by the Federation of Associations of Chefs and Restaurateurs of Spain (FACYRE) along with the Association of Chefs of Aragón (ACA), brought together prominent professionals from the sector on March 9 at the Royal Maestranza of Zaragoza. This forum, which made its first stop in the Aragonese capital on the occasion of International Women’s Day, focused on female leadership in kitchens and rural hospitality, particularly in the province of Teruel, combating depopulation, promoting work-life balance, and highlighting the talent of women who sustain the region from the pantry to the table.

The participants, primarily female chefs, restaurant businesswomen, and producers from rural areas of Teruel, received a heartfelt tribute with the presentation of purple chef jackets. Here is a who’s who of the leading figures from this inspiring day:

Presentation and Coordination

• Candela Granados: Coordinator of activities at FACYRE. She presented the event and shared the origin of the initiative, which arose from visibility campaigns on social media for women chefs and restaurateurs.

First Panel: “Product, Innovation, and Training: The Woman Who Builds the Future”

• Mónica Alejandra Benítez: Executive Chef of La Torre del Visco (Fuentespalda, Matarraña, Teruel), a benchmark for high-end rural cuisine. She emphasized the value chain from farm to table, pay equity, and work-life balance.
• Esther Barroso: Cooking teacher at IES Pedro de Luna (province of Teruel). She provided her insights on the inequality in caregiving and female leadership in education.
• Clara Lapuente: Owner and chef of La Alquería (Rafales, Teruel). She highlighted the proximity to the product and the importance of the rural environment for authentic dining.
• María José Velilla: Livestock producer of Ternasco de Aragón IGP (Teruel). She represented the rural perspective and the significance of women in the agro-food sector.

Second Panel: “Territory, Roots, and Female Leadership in Rural Areas”

• Jemma Markan: Owner and businesswoman of La Torre del Visco (Fuentespalda, Teruel). She spoke about rural challenges such as bureaucracy and workforce shortages, advocating for life in villages as a viable and enriching choice.
• Fabiana Arévalo: Owner and chef of Baudilio (Valderrobres, Matarraña, Teruel). She celebrated the “sweet moment” of rural dining in Aragón and the advantage of proximity to local products.
• María José Meda: Chef and co-owner of Hospedería El Batán (Tramacastilla de Albarracín, Teruel), a Michelin-starred establishment. She debated entrepreneurship in non-urban areas and territorial rooting.
• Amparo Cuellar: General Director of Innovation and Agricultural Promotion of the Government of Aragón. She provided the institutional perspective to promote female leadership and rural development.

These women, with their projects in cutting-edge kitchens, educational classrooms, livestock operations, and promotional offices, demonstrate that rural Aragonese gastronomy not only survives but leads the shift towards greater equality and sustainability. At a key moment for the region, their example inspires generations and reinforces the motto: gastronomy, in Aragón, is also female.