Benjamin Wool, CEO of Vocento Gastronomy: “There is no place like Lanzarote where there is a dialogue between cuisines and volcanic ecosystems.”

He is president of the group's gastronomy division. Vocento. Direct Madrid Fusion y San Sebastián Gastronomy. Y, among many other events, devised Worldcanic, a congress of cuisines and volcanic ecosystems that is about to see its third edition in the same place where it was born: Lanzarote.

Ask. How is the third edition of Worldcanic?

Answer. With great enthusiasm. I think we have a great program. Little by little, despite your youth, The Congress is consolidating internationally. We are already finding that, when we contact geologists, volcanologists, chef…everyone has already heard about him and wants to come to Lanzarote. It works perfectly and we want to continue growing and defending all this unique volcanic culture that exists in Lanzarote and in all Canary Islands.

P. One of the pillars on which the Congress is sustainability

R. I think there is a very clear example of sustainability. And this is how man has adapted to these territories.. We think about Canary Islands, but volcanoes are all over the world. In it Congress people will meet from New Zealand a Oregon passing through Sicily, guest territory. They are very different cultural realities and ways of life., but in all cases the human beings who live there have been able to perfectly understand how to survive alongside those unique conditions that, in some periods of history, have been extreme. They have been able to make the most of their stock and have given rise to very different cuisines., to geothermal techniques and, above all, to some really special products. This is the case of wines or vegetables., but also the seabed, origin of volcanoes and cradle of species, some still hidden

P. Y Lanzarote appears as a pioneer territory in that discussion

R. I would dare to say yes because nowhere else, let's say, There has been a dialogue between the different sectors. On the one hand, those linked to the volcano in relation to agriculture or hospitality. From another, scientific approaches. And there are not many places where this has occurred with the assistance or participation of chefs.. Suddenly, They realize what they have in common. Then there is the relevant component for local economies. For example, the wine revolution that is being experienced in Lanzarote and in all Canary Islands, has already occurred before in some other places in case of Sicily. Around the Etna, Their wines now have international recognition. In it Congress There will be some of the most prominent chefs and sommeliers on the island who will explain how they have been able to position Sicilian wines in a Top place.. And the same thing that we talk about wines we can talk about other types of products.. This year we bring some great chefs who do not belong to the volcanic environment but who have been touring the island going fishing The Holy the carabinieri, picking vegetables or working the native black pig. They will bring a different vision of cooking with products from Lanzarote

P. It's seeing what we have, but taking perspective

R. That's how it is. To the point that a couple of months ago we were with Ricard Camarena, For me one of the most important chefs not only in Spain otherwise I would tell you Europa for the transformation that is taking place around the plant world and one of the fathers of the most advanced sustainability concepts. Well we have had it in Lanzarote for several days and has not hidden the excitement with the local product

P. Some connection has already been made, therefore

R. Of course! Connections and collaborations have already emerged. In this edition we are going to give a lot of focus to the live fire environment, the grill., to the embers. And we are going to bring some representatives of both fish and meat cuisine.. They will come Oscar y Antonio Geadas, some Portuguese brothers who are probably the best pork grillers. They have been working with the black pig that we sent them for three months and now they are going to come and show us how they cook it..

P. We have just closed one of the best Food and Wine Festivals with the seal Saborea Lanzarote that are remembered. We open the doors to III Congress of Kitchens and Volcanic Ecosystems. Something will be done right Lanzarote…

R. Of course! Lanzarote It has been the first of the Islands Canary Islands on focusing on gastronomy. I think there is a very interesting degree of maturity that makes people begin to know, nationally and internationally, the products of Lanzarote, with wines at the forefront, but with other unique products that are increasingly becoming more widely accepted.. The objective that is set from your Council The fact that people visiting the island do so for culinary reasons is increasing. There are many places to eat very well on the island and there are more and more. And that is becoming something contagious and ends up being a wonderful virtuous circle between producers and consumers..