Image Madrid boosts its gastronomy with the success of the 2026 Carnival Sardine Competition

Madrid boosts its gastronomy with the success of the 2026 Carnival Sardine Competition
2026/02/16

This year's Madrid Carnival has given a key boost to the local gastronomic scene with the celebration of the "Carnival Sardines 2026" Competition , an initiative that highlights the culinary creativity and festive tradition of the capital.

Organized by the Madrid City Council , in collaboration with the Association of Chefs and Pastry Chefs of Madrid (ACYRE) , the competition was held in the Guzmán el Bueno Municipal Market , where it concluded with the awarding of prizes to the best sardine preparations in their sweet and savory versions.

The delegate for Economy, Innovation and Finance, Engracia Hidalgo, highlighted that the competition “ showcases the creative and gastronomic richness of the city and blends tradition with spectacular new proposals ”, emphasizing the value of municipal markets as spaces for coexistence, culture and economic revitalization.

Winners and innovative flavors

The jury, composed of chefs, head chefs, pastry chefs and owners of renowned establishments in Madrid and the surrounding area, awarded the main prizes:

  • Best Sweet Sardine of Carnival : Angélica Locantore , from the restaurant Cacao en Broma .

  • Best Salted Sardine of Carnival : Jacqueline J. Molina , from Taberna y Media .

These winning proposals stand out for fusing traditional flavors with contemporary techniques, inviting us to rediscover one of the most emblematic symbols of the Madrid Carnival.

More than 100 participating gastronomic establishments

The award-winning creations and many other festive sardines can be tasted in more than one hundred restaurants, artisan bakeries and municipal markets adhering to the 6th Carnival Sardine Route , a culinary experience that encourages residents and visitors to explore different neighborhoods and establishments in the city.

This project is part of the Strategy for Strengthening Commercial and Hospitality Activity 2025-2027 , which includes an investment of 39.4 million euros to modernize and revitalize Madrid's municipal markets, reinforcing their role as drivers of the local economy.

Carnival and tradition

The competition and the gastronomic route are part of the extensive program of the Madrid Carnival 2026 , which takes place from February 14 to 18 , and which will culminate with the traditional Burial of the Sardine festival, a symbolic ceremony that marks the end of the Carnival with humor and, above all, a lot of citizen participation.