The Deputy Minister of Cultural Action, Mar Sancho, today presented the IX International Congress on Mycological Cuisine and Tourism, "Soria Gastronómica," which will be held in Soria on October 27 and 28. The aim is to "once again make the city of Soria the world's leading meeting point for mycological knowledge, culture, and innovation."
Sancho explained that "the Congress will feature eleven internationally renowned chefs, along with experts in mycological and scientific tourism from seven countries (Spain, Japan, India, France, New Zealand, Bolivia, and Canada), who will place Soria at the world epicenter of mycology applied to gastronomy and tourism." To this end, "the Congress also devotes special attention to the relationship between gastronomy and tourism, an essential pairing for rural development and the economic diversification of our territories," and even more so this year, when, as a novelty, "it is committed to a more open and participatory Congress for the city and visitors, with workshops in different spaces throughout the city, so that delegates can experience Soria, explore it, and enjoy its heritage," stated the Deputy Minister when presenting the IX Congress, which will be themed "From the Mountain to the Vanguard: Living the Mountain. Protecting the Mushrooms. Creating Flavor."
To this end, a program organized by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sport, in collaboration with the Soria City Council, the Soria Provincial Council and the European Institute of Mycology, has been created. This program combines culinary demonstrations and gastronomic presentations with interactive workshops and technical field trips.
Innovative program with international stars
Among the main new features of the "Soria Gastronómica" program is the commitment to the diversification of spaces, so that the Congress is open to the city and its citizens, seeking maximum outreach and participation. In this regard, the Soria City Council is making the Santa Clara Convent, the Bécquer Civic Center Cooking Classroom, and the Municipal Market kitchen available to the Congress. In addition, workshops will be held in the countryside with visits to the Valonsadero Mycological Park, in the municipality of Soria.
For the more technical and scientific aspects, the conference headquarters will be the Aula Magna Tirso de Molina, thanks to the collaboration of the Soria Provincial Council and the Cloister of the Convent of La Merced, provided by the Duques de Soria Foundation. These spaces will enhance the cultural and heritage immersion of participants in the city.
Another major new feature will be the presence of South American mushroom cuisine, both savory and sweet, featuring chef Marsia Taha Mohamed Sala, recognized as the best chef in Latin America in 2024, who will showcase the mycological richness of the Bolivian highlands and the Amazon rainforest.
This ninth edition will present the results of the European project Mycotour, which demonstrates how mycology has become a major tourist attraction in many rural areas of Spain and Europe. The Mycotour Mycology Tourism Innovation Lab will be coordinated by Fernando Martínez Peña (INIA-CSIC/EMI) and will include the participation of Yolanda Santos (Soria), Shota Nakano (Japan), Pascale Malenfant (Canada), Luz López, Chema Paraled, and the head of the Experiences Area of the State Secretariat for Tourism, María Monje.
Culinary demonstrations and gastronomic presentations
The cooking demonstrations and gastronomic presentations will feature leading figures in the culinary world. Among them, Igor Zalakain and Cynthia Yaber, from the three-Michelin-starred restaurant "Arzak" in San Sebastián, will present a talk on the treatment of mushrooms in Basque haute cuisine.
From Canada, the restaurant 'Le Clan', with Stéphane Modat of Quebec, recommended by the Michelin Guide, will offer a presentation featuring local products—fish, game, herbs, wild fruits, and mushrooms—transformed into dishes of great delicacy, where mushrooms become a symbol of the bond between the chef and nature.
Chef Benito Gómez, a benchmark in Ronda (Málaga) and holder of two Michelin stars at his restaurant 'Bardal', will participate with a presentation that combines high culinary technique with absolute respect for local produce, where mushrooms are the protagonists. Also participating will be Juan José Losada, from the restaurant 'Pablo' in Leon, with one Michelin star, who will present avant-garde Leonese cuisine, deeply rooted in local and seasonal produce, in which mycology occupies an essential place, together with his sommelier, pairing it with wines from Castilla y León.
Interactive workshops
The interactive workshops, which will take place in different locations throughout the city, will feature leading professionals such as Melania Cascante, from the restaurant "Los Villares," a specialist in traditional cuisine and the handling and preservation of mushroom products; and Carlos and Alba de Pablo, from the restaurant "El Tilo de Vallecas," in Soria , who represent creative, sustainable, and seasonal cuisine.
As guests from India and France, the Congress will feature Satish Sridhar and Manon Gingold, who will lead a workshop on Indian mushroom cooking, accompanied by mushroom producer and marketer Naveen Patwal.
The scientific aspect will also have a prominent place in the forest mycoculture workshop, entitled "The Art of Domesticating Wild Mushrooms. Discover It Yourself," which will address new cultivation techniques and the sustainable use of mycological resources, always from a perspective of innovation and respect for the environment. This international scientific workshop will bring together top-level experts: Dr. Shota Nakano (HOKUTO Co., Japan) with studies on Boletus hiratsukae; Dr. Alexis Guerin-Laguette (Mycotree Ltd., New Zealand) on chanterelle mushrooms (Lactarius deliciosus); and Dr. Jaime Olaizola (IdForest, Spain) on Boletus edulis. This event will combine research, innovation, and practical applications in mycological cultivation.
Likewise, Drs. Eva Guillamón and Laura Mateo Vivaracho, specialists in biotechnology and applied mycology, will provide scientific support for the workshops' cooking presentations, ensuring the rigor, innovation, and technical excellence that characterize this congress.
The IX International Congress on Mycological Cuisine and Tourism, ' Soria Gastronómica,' is organized by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Sport of the Junta de Castilla y León, and has the collaboration of the Soria City Council, the Soria Provincial Council, and the European Institute of Mycology. Those interested in participating in the Congress can register through the website www.turismocastillayleon.com/congresosoriagastronomica2025
