The recent visit of Pope Leo XIV to the Canary Islands concluded with an anecdote that has linked the Royal Household with the islands' popular gastronomy. A technical issue with the papal plane forced the King to lend his own Falcon for the return trip to Rome, leaving the monarch temporarily stranded in Tenerife. After his unplanned stay at the Captaincy General of the Canary Islands in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Lieutenant General Julio Salom Herrera, head of the Canary Islands Command, offered the King a memorable lunch.
For the occasion, the restaurant Bodegón Casa Tomás in Tegueste, known for its traditional recipes, was contacted. The establishment prepared a complete menu for about twenty people, including the monarch and his entourage. Víctor Galván, the restaurant's owner, recounted the surprise of receiving the call to prepare the meal on short notice, highlighting the time constraints and the urgency of the order.
The menu chosen for King Felipe VI included a starter of chickpeas, a main course of ribs with potatoes and pineapple, and a homemade flan for dessert. According to Galván, the chickpeas and ribs are "hallmarks of the house" and "are very popular." Confirmation of the meal's success came the next day when the captain general called to thank them for the service and return the pots, stating that the King had particularly enjoyed the ribs, chickpeas, and cilantro mojo.
This episode adds a new chapter to the history of Casa Tomás, a family business with 49 years of experience founded by Víctor Galván's parents. The anecdote gained particular attention due to memes circulating during the papal visit, jokingly suggesting the Pontiff might dine at the restaurant, though it was ultimately the King who enjoyed its signature dishes.
