The municipality of Gáldar hosted a true celebration of the primary sector with the Cheese Festival, a central event that marked the successful culmination of the XXVIII Cheese Fair. The gathering, held in the Plaza de Santiago and its surroundings, brought together producers, residents, and visitors in a festive atmosphere that combined direct sales of local products, a craft fair, guided popular tastings, and the best traditional music.
The most anticipated moment was the solemn awards ceremony for the XXVIII Cheese Tasting Competition. The Councilor for Socioeconomic Development, Tine Martín Ojeda, along with Carlos Ruiz Moreno, Councilor for Historical Heritage; Dolores Delgado Jorge, Councilor for Senior Citizen Policy; and Ulises Miranda Guerra, Councilor for Tourism, presented the awards to the winners. The expert jury highlighted the exceptional quality of the products presented in all their varieties, emphasizing the excellent flavor and tradition of cheeses from the Altos de Gáldar and the municipalities covered by the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Queso Flor de Guía, Queso de Media Flor de Guía, and Queso de Guía (cured), which received the main accolades.
“"This fair is the perfect showcase for our primary sector and our cultural identity. After overcoming adverse weather conditions, we have once again demonstrated the strength and resilience of the sector. Today we recognize the daily work, dedication, and excellence of our producers. But we are also achieving the goal of promoting cheese and, in turn, helping our dairies evolve without losing that artisanal aspect that differentiates artisan cheese from industrial cheese."
The technical phase of the tasting took place beforehand behind closed doors in the Sala Sábor of the Casas Consistoriales, where a panel of 13 specialists rigorously evaluated more than fifty samples. The selection included the Flor, Media Flor, Semi-cured, and Cured categories, from both the Altos de Gáldar and the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Queso Flor de Guía.
Throughout the day, the Plaza de Santiago was adorned with dozens of stands showcasing island crafts and gastronomy. The popular tastings, held at 11:00 and 12:15, saw high demand from the public. Canarian music also played a prominent role, with performances by the folk group Surco y Arado, enlivening the morning with their traditional sounds and dances.
The event, organized by the Concejalía de Desarrollo Socioeconómico and supported by the Consejería de Soberanía Alimentaria of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, closes another edition with its objectives met and with the commitment of the Gáldar City Council to promote local products and the projection of the cheese sector in the region.
