Chef Xabier Luis Boya, hailing from Tenerife, has emerged victorious at the XX GastroCanarias 2026 Cepsa Grand Prix Canary Islands Cooking Championship. This competition, the longest-standing in the islands and considered one of Spain's top three most important and demanding culinary events, recognized Boya's excellence in organization, technique, recipe, presentation, and taste.

Boya presented two culinary creations: the first featured yam as the main ingredient, while the second was a free-choice dish prepared using ingredients from a 'surprise box'. The podium was completed by Javier Castillo Marrero, who secured second place, and Gabriele Bernucci Ghidini, in third. Additionally, Michael Eduardo Martín was awarded Best Assistant.

During the event, the finalists had a total of 135 minutes to prepare their two dishes. The secret main ingredient for the first dish, revealed the day before the competition, was yam. The second dish had to be created using ingredients found in the 'Surprise Box' provided by the championship's official supermarket.

The finalists in this edition included Eric Guerrero Serrano (Tenerife), Xabier Luis Boya (Tenerife), Javier Castillo Marrero (Gran Canaria), Gabriele Bernucci Ghidini (Tenerife), and Yurena Rodríguez Pacheco (Tenerife).