SaborArte gastronomic festival in Cieza 7th to 10th March as the countryside bursts into blossom

Hurry to reserve seats at the SaborArte Exclusivo gourmet tapas meals during the festival!

Thursday morning saw the official presentation of the third annual SaborArte gastronomic festival, an event which in a very short time has become one of the most important dates in the annual calendar of the world of gastronomy in the Region of Murcia.

SaborArte is held at the height of the “Floración”, when the peach orchards and other fruit trees in Cieza burst into blossom and the countryside is busy with walkers and day trippers enjoying the glorious spectacle. Last year the festival, which is organized by the Town Hall of Cieza and chef Rodi Fernández (of Restaurante La Cava de Royán) and sponsored among others by Murcia-based brewery Estrella de Levante, attracted over 10,000 visitors, who between them made short work of 58,000 portions of tapas and 20,000 drinks. 450 people attended various workshops and similar events, and 80 children enjoyed a few hours in the play area while their parents were otherwise engaged.

Entry to the festival costs just one euro, after which drinks and tapas can be purchased as required and visitors can sample the mouth-watering products of over 30 exhibitors at stands in the Plaza de España. In addition, they are free to watch demonstrations and presentations in the marquees set up for the festival, and these will also be transmitted to the open-air concourse to allow spectators to enjoy them outside.

One of the highlights at SaborArte 2019 is a series of "SaborArte Exclusivo" events, repeating a format which met with great success last year. These consist of surprise menus prepared for a maximum of 22 people by two of the top chefs taking part, and are held at lunchtime on Sunday 10th March and at lunchtime and in the evening on 8th and 9th March: tickets are priced at 30 euros a head for a meal consisting of five tapas, a dessert and accompanying wines.

But these tickets are selling fast: hurry to reserve by clicking here or by telephone on 968 764800!

Another area is occupied by “SaborArte Fresco”, which hosts live cooking events and offers visitors to see the dishes they are sampling while they are being prepared, and this will be manned by various restaurants offering their star products of the moment. The dishes include homemade pizzas, mini hamburgers, rice dishes, sushi and numerous fish and meat offerings.

A “gastronomic performance” section is also included, where creative projects involving gastronomic specialities are taking place, and one of these has been created by the festival organizers as a homage to the typical Murciano “almuerzo” (brunch, or second breakfast).

Children’s events are held in the marquees outside the main exhibition, alongside the mini-gourmet events, and musical entertainment is a regular feature throughout the four days of the event. Tickets for children’s workshops (priced at 5 euros, designed for 5- to 12-year-olds) can be purchased in advance from the Teatro Capitol on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or at the festival itself.

Click here for the full schedule at SaborArte 2019, here for more information about La Floración in Cieza, including guided visits, special restaurant menus and cultural activities until the end of March. Further information is also available from the Cieza tourist office (telephone 968 453500).

For more local events, news and other information visit the Cieza section of Murcia Today.

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