Fuertegourmet Overhauls Leadership and Boosts Advocacy for Chefs and Restaurants
The Fuertegourmet Association held its ordinary General Assembly on 11 June, during which it renewed its Board of Directors and approved amendments to its statutes to reinforce its role as the defender of the interests and rights of chefs and restaurants across Fuerteventura. The association now counts more than 120 members spread throughout the island, with over 30 participants attending the assembly.
New Leadership
A single consensus candidacy was presented in the election and was approved unanimously by those present. Gustavo Astrada Riera, owner of the restaurant La Mamma in Corralejo, was elected president.
“I thank the confidence placed in me by our members and acknowledge the work of the outgoing board, especially former president Blas Rodríguez Melián,” Astrada said in a statement on behalf of the collective.
The new executive structure includes three vice‑presidents:
- Rigoberto Almeida (El Pellizco, Costa Calma and Morro Jable) – representing the southern zone,
- Alexis Morales Torres (El Invernadero) – representing the central zone,
- Ángel Lirio (Casa Cecilia, Corralejo) – representing the northern zone.
The board is completed by nine vocal members—three for each island zone—plus Ramón Catalán (Bodega de Jandía) as treasurer and José Jiménez (Hoteles Labranda) as secretary.
Statutes Updated
A central item of the assembly was the revision of the statutes, adapting them to transform Fuertegourmet into a professional association that defends the interests and rights of both male and female chefs, while also functioning as a business association that represents its member restaurants before island, regional, and national authorities.
2024 Activities Highlighted
During the session the association presented its activities for 2024, which included participation in major gastronomic fairs and events such as:
- Madrid Fusión
- Bienal del Arroz de Cullera
- The national “Destapa las Legumbres” championship in Valladolid
- Gastronomic forums in A Coruña and Barcelona
Local initiatives on Fuerteventura were also showcased, including:
- Gastronomic markets in Puerto del Rosario timed with cruise ship arrivals
- “Los Lajares de Tapeo”
- The Feaga 2024 gastronomic salon
- Sports‑related events, various show‑cookings, and workshops
The assembly also announced the recent launch of an island‑wide gastronomic guide available on the association’s website and approved the annual accounts, which the organization says reflect a sound financial situation.
Objectives of the New Board
The newly elected board set out several objectives for the coming term:
- Strengthen the promotion of island gastronomy and kilometer‑zero products
- Provide training for culinary professionals
- Foster employment within the sector
- Improve service quality in establishments through a membership seal
- Sign agreements with local training centers
- Maintain active participation in fairs and promotional actions
These measures aim to solidify Fuertegourmet’s role as the leading advocate for Fuerteventura’s culinary community.