From February 6 to 9, Alaquàs will host one more edition, the 8th, of the Festa de la Carxofa, in a combination of gastronomy, culture and local commerce.
Under the slogan “Més poble que mai”, this coming weekend ‘s edition will focus on the resilience and future of l’Horta Sud, an area severely affected by the dana of October 29th, 2024.
L’Associació d’Amics i Amigues del Cant de la Carxofa, Comerciants Associats d’Alaquàs (CAdA) and l’Associació d’Hostaleria i Restauració d’Alaquàs (AHORA) will organize this 2025 an event focused on gastronomic gatherings, culinary contests, craft and trade fairs, cultural performances and solidarity activities.
VIII Festa de la Carxofa de Alaquàs Program
From February 6 to 9, Alaquàs will be the center of debates, tastings and festivities around the world of gastronomy and, especially, the artichoke, which is in full harvesting season.
For example, on Thursday 6 the event will kick off with a gastronomic discussion on the role of gastronomy as a cultural link, with the participation of chef Óscar Torrijos, Paco Alonso (gastronomic journalist) and Chabe Soler (chef of the Villa Indiano restaurant).
On Friday 7, the Claustro del Castell will celebrate a cultural evening with magic, poetry and music by local artists and the awards of the Passaport Carxofa, an initiative to promote local commerce, will be presented.
On Saturday 8, the rice with carxofa contest will take place in the Plaza de la Constitución, where five local associations will compete before a professional jury composed of renowned experts such as Pablo Margós, executive chef of Grupo Gastro Trinquet and Bairetas restaurant; Toni Carceller, former MasterChef contestant and communications director of Grupo Los Gómez; Almudena Ortuño, gastronomic journalist; and Viccocinillas, gastronomic influencer specializing in rice dishes.
The day will include craft and commercial fairs, as well as a traditional meat and artichoke torrà organized by La Cuarta Torre. The night will close with a concert by DJ Xema and Poleo.
On Sunday 9, the big day, with activities starting at 10 am: there will be an artichoke tapas contest in the Plaza de la Constitución, with the participation of local restaurants such as La Sequieta, Cuarta Torre, La Nova Terreta, Ateneo, Mesón Almansa, La Cuina de Gemma and Las Viandas de Larosa along with special guests such as Taberna Gourmet La Casota (Paiporta), in a gesture of solidarity towards the municipalities affected by the DANA.
Among the participating tapas, artichoke flower confit with olive oil at low temperature, truffle oil and Iberian ham powder; artichoke hummus with white beans; steamed artichoke on romescu; or artichoke figatell.
This year’s jury will be made up of gastronomy referents such as Raúl Resino, Michelin-starred chef of the Raúl Resino restaurant in Benicarló; David Joaquín, chef of the Farigola i Menta restaurant in Torrent; Carla Centelles, gastronomic journalist of Guía Hedonista; Javier Atencia, member of the Associació Gastronòmica El Cullerot d’Alaquàs; and Elvira García, former mayoress of Alaquàs.
In 2024, more than 3,500 people visited this event during the weekend, according to figures from the organization. A number that is expected to be exceeded in this edition.