The old, protagonist in Madrid Fusion

Madrid Fusion Foods from Spain and Mercamadrid announce the fifth edition of the 'Cooking the Sea' contest, which aims highlight the extraordinary culinary creative capacity of our country around fishing and aquaculture products. In this fifth edition, will select the best recipe and final execution made with one of the most appreciated fish in the Canary Islands, the old.

The old, this species of “parrotfish” that responds to the scientific name of cretan sparisoma, It is a very active and curious specimen that stands out for the beauty of its color.. This beautiful fish is not exclusive to the Canary Islands, but also inhabits subtropical temperate seas of the Mediterranean and the northeastern Atlantic.

Its size is 30cm., in the smallest specimens, up to 70cm. of the greatest, males are generally the largest.

The old one is one of the main species of the Central Fish Market of Mercamadrid, an immense showcase of fish available to restaurants and hotels. Thanks to the companies at the Fish Market, A wide variety of fish and seafood is offered every day in its facilities.. Key ingredients to guarantee a healthy diet, consistent with the Mediterranean diet.

The grand final of this contest will be held during the XXIV International Gastronomy Summit Madrid Fusion Foods of Spain 2026, which will take place at IFEMA during the days 26, 27 y 28 January in the pavilions 14.0 y 14.1.

This contest will be governed by the following bases:

• Participants will send a single recipe that is prepared and has the use of the old tradition as the main basis of the dish..
• The recipe must include a technical sheet that will indicate the ingredients and the preparation process.. Besides, must be accompanied by a high resolution photograph, minimum 300ppp, in .jpg format.
• Said documentation, along with your identifying information (participant name, email, telephone and workplace) must be sent by email to mpardo@vocento.com
• The time and deadline for receipt of prescriptions are 23:59 h of 1 January 2026.
• Among all the recipes received, the ones will be selected. 6 recipes that will go to the final.
• The final will take place, in principle, on Monday 26 January, within the framework of Madrid Food Fusion of Spain 2024 (scenery Experience, pavilion 14.0).
• The finalists will be called to, with an hour of time, elaborate or, in your case, finish and plate their creations before the jury. The Association of Wholesale Fish Entrepreneurs of Madrid will facilitate, if required with sufficient advance notice, old copies for the elaborations on the day of the final.
• The finalists will not be able to be accompanied by an assistant to help them complete the dish..
• The jury will proclaim a single winner of the contest, who will receive an original Gyotaku as a prize.
• The travel and accommodation expenses of the contestants who advance to the final are at their own expense..
• Voluntary participation in this contest implies full acceptance of these general rules.. Recognition as a valid participant is subject to compliance with the requirements established in these bases..
• Mercamadrid reserves the right to include the recipes of the 6 finalists and their images in their corporate communication media (catalogs, leaflets, web, RR.SS., app, etc.) and those of the Association of Wholesale Fish Entrepreneurs of Madrid (AEMPM) along with the image and data of its authors, as well as reproducing these recipes in photo shoots or other events whenever you consider it appropriate..
• Mercamadrid reserves the right to suspend, postpone, cancel or modify the duration of the contest at any time prior to its end, whenever there are causes that justify it, such as the change of celebration dates by the Madrid organization Fusion Foods of Spain if there was a critical health situation.