2022 ends, moments that we usually reflect on and evaluate our actions and the events of the year.
How has 2022 been for the Guayaquil gastronomic sector? In numbers, according to figures from the Ministry of Economy, still recovering, 10% below the base year, 2019. According to the unions that represent the sector, the figure is 15%. A good measure to corroborate this is the Raíces Fair, by far the most important gastronomic event in the country, which represents all segments of the sector, which, growing significantly compared to 2021, was even much smaller than in relation to 2019.
And in quality? The most relevant fact may be the entry to the World 50 Best Latin America list, among the 100 most important, of Mikka (97) and El Restaurante del Hotel del Parque, Casa Julián (78). Despite this good news, deserved, by the way, the general feeling is that cuisine in Guayaquil has lost momentum, the strength it had had since 2010.
The activity, the events, festivals with international chefs, tastings, appearances of new proposals, among others, were reduced almost to their maximum expression. One could hardly mention the explosion of signature burger joints.
In the count we must note the great absentees, those great cuisines of the world that are either not represented, or are represented in low numbers in the city, such as La Francesa, Thai and South Pacific Asian, Mediterranean, going beyond Spain , such as Greece, Turkey and Morocco; La Japonesa, gastronomy that goes beyond sushi and is far from cream cheese. Tai Suki had a good try, but the market didn’t respond; And India, with a single exponent.
Regarding the existing offer, it is important to highlight what in my opinion is gastronomic excellence, each one of its kind.
Mikka and Zeru, in my opinion, without a doubt or a close competitor, have the highest gastronomy in the city, based on four criteria: creativity, technique, quality of raw materials and general experience, although Zeru’s prices are well above what you would think desirable.
Marrecife, in another category, more attached to the roots of Ecuadorian cuisine, is a restaurant that has achieved a high level, similar to the case of Balandra.
The most important gastronomic event organized by restaurant of the year was the tasting menu by Frenchman Davy Tisot, winner of the Bocuse D’Or, at the Bankers Club. The restaurant opened this year, which has most caught my attention, due to its excellent value for money, has been Sfoglia.
2022 is a year about which we don’t have much to say, which did not help to bridge the gastronomic gap between our city and the capital, which had narrowed a lot in the last decade. (EITHER)
Source: Eluniverso
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
