Madrid already has its official Carnival dessert, the Chocolate Sardine

The Carnival of Madrid is a hallmark of our city, and the burial of the sardine, one of its most outstanding symbols. Desserts are a representation of the sweet aspect of life, like this time of joy, Carnival, which begins now. And in Madrid, desserts linked to different celebrations and times of the year are well known, such as fritters, donuts, saint's bones, roscón or torrijas. The City of Madrid has organized, in collaboration with ACYRE Madrid (Association of Cooks and Pastry Chefs of Madrid), a contest to choose the official dessert of the Madrid Carnival: the Chocolate Sardine.

Last week, five finalists were chosen from among those registered for the contest: begona gardel, pastry chef Hotel Miguel Angel by Bluebay; David Christopher, pastry chef of the Pastry Cercadillo; Irene Aguirre, head chef and executive chef of the Real Cafe Bernabeu; rebecca hernandez, owner and chef of The Eggplant Restaurant; Y Just Almendrote, pastry chef of the Justo Almendrote Pastry.

The act, presented by the gastronomic reporter Crespo shell, was attended by Barbara Buenache, president of ACYRE Madrid, and the Mayor of the city, Manuela Carmena. The members of the jury have been martha figs, First Deputy Mayor of Madrid; Sacha Hormaechea, Chef and owner of Sacha Restaurant, and President of the jury;  Ricardo Velez, Chef and owner of Moulin Chocolat; Pedro Garcia, Head pastry chef the duchess and current pastry champion of Madrid, Monserrat Abella, Head pastry chef Santceloni Restaurant; Maria Jose Almendros, Pastry Chef of the The Goat Restaurant; Y Fran Segura, Chef's Chocolate Chocolab Pastry. The event was attended by Director General of Commerce and Entrepreneurship, Concha Diaz de Villegas.

After the jury tasted the creations of the finalists, the Mayor of Madrid addressed the attendees, who highlighted the importance of gastronomy in our lives. Manuela Carmena stressed that the Chocolate Sardine it is "a sign that Madrid is a city capable of doing new things by building on what has gone before".

After deliberation, the jury chose as the winner of the contest the Chocolate Sardine to David Christopher, pastry chef of the Pastry Cercadillo, who made it clear to the media present that with initiatives such as the Chocolate Sardine, the winner is not only him, but the entire Pastry Guild.

Madrid already has its official Carnival dessert. The Chocolate Sardine Starting next year, it will become an essential component of the Madrid Carnival.