Tarragona will host the next Repsol Guide Suns gala

Tarragona"With the products we have in Catalonia, we chefs don't deserve so much credit... we were born in the best place in the world." With these words, Catalan chef Nandu Jubany wanted to highlight the work done by Catalan chefs and the constant accolades they receive. And in 2026, yet another one is on the way: Tarragona will host the Repsol Guide Suns gala on February 16th. The gala, which has been held for six years and has never before taken place in Catalonia, will bring together more than 200 chefs from across Spain at the Tarragona Trade Fair and Congress Centre.

The news, received with pride in Tarragona, was made public today at a presentation in the Sarcophagus Room of the Roman Circus of Tarragona, with the participation of the region's leading authorities. The vast majority of speakers highlighted the quality of Catalan gastronomic products, and especially those from Tarragona: "For many, many generations have worked the land, fished, or farmed," emphasized Eduard Xatruch, a chef from Vila-seca and partner and chef at the Disfrutar restaurant. Both Disfrutar and Can Jubany have held three Repsol Guide awards—the highest distinction—for years. The events for this new gala, which will award new Repsol Guide awards to the best restaurants in Spain, will begin the day before in Reus with a welcome party. The choice of Catalonia as the venue for the next Repsol Guide gala was easy to foresee: in addition to the quality of the chefs and the raw ingredients, Catalonia is this year's World Region of Gastronomy, and furthermore, It is the community in the entire State with the most Repsol stations.It has up to 114, 13 of them in Tarragona. In Catalonia, there are also almost 500 restaurants, bars, and taverns distinguished with the "little suns," another category of the guide that aims to recognize charming places offering high-quality food at more affordable prices. The "little suns" gala is held in spring, and the host city will be Alcanar. The mayor of this town in the Montsià region, Joan Roig, thanked the Catalan Government, the Tarragona Provincial Council, and Repsol for considering his municipality, highlighting its "local, authentic gastronomy that reflects the region."

Balance between sectors

All those present argued that holding these two galas in Reus, Tarragona, and Alcanar "will mark a turning point" in the gastronomy sector and highlighted "the balance" that exists in this part of the country between the chemical industry and tourism. In this regard, the Minister of Business and Labor, Miquel Sàmper, made it very clear that the current Government has committed to this "balance." "Tourism generates 12% of GDP and employs 500,000 people. When you hear messages of anti-tourism sentiment, you can rest assured, because this Government will stand with tourism and the restaurant industry. And we will also defend the chemical industry in Tarragona," he said.