Rural gastronomic tourism,
the new luxury
Discover-EAT brought together chefs, producers, tourism agents and gastronomic communicators for three days in the Castilian-La Mancha lands of Campo de Criptana, Alcázar de San Juan and Herencia at the first congress on gastronomic tourism in non-urban environments. They all agree that gastronomy is no longer seen as a complement to travel, but has become its driving force. It has become the hinge that links the primary sector with tourism. And in the new luxury, a luxury that is now perceived through the senses: the aroma of earth and fresh grass from the countryside, the intense flavor of a handcrafted cured cheese, and the majestic silence of a century-old winery that evokes centuries of history and dedication.
NEWS
News
Discover-Eat 2025 has been established as the first international forum on gastronomy, destinations and rural areas
International experts will analyse trends, strategies and success stories to promote gastronomy as an economic driver in rural areas.
News
The speakers include chefs such as Virgilio Martínez and Nacho Manzano, as well as the renowned butcher Dario Cechini
The first edition of Discover Eat will bring together leading figures from various sectors involved in the success of gastronomic tourism.
News
Authenticity, the secret of the Antica Macelleria Cecchini
Rural tourists are increasingly looking for experiences, and places with charisma, such as the Antica Macelleria Cecchini, are essential.
Programme
Presentation
Evolution and trends in gastronomic tourism
6/9/2025 9:30 AM
Abraham Martín
CMO of Pangea The Travel Store (Spain)
Welcome
Official opening of Discover Eat
6/9/2025 10:00 AM
Santiago Lázaro López
Mayor of Campo de Criptana
Benjamín Lana
Managing Director of Vocento Gastronomía (Madrid, Spain)
Patricia Franco Jiménez
Minister of Economy, Business and Employment of Castilla-La Mancha
Round table
How can a region establish itself as a destination for gastronomic tourism?
6/9/2025 10:30 AM
Pedro Sánchez
Chef at Bagá* (Jaén, Spain)
Fernando Valmaseda
CEO of GRUPO RV Edipress (Spain)
Joaquina P. Hernández
CEO of Magnus Nature (Spain)
Gustavo Bassotti
Marketing Director at THR Strategic Tourism Advisors (Spain)
Presentation
A success story. Napa Valley: The sophistication of wine tourism.
6/9/2025 11:10 AM
Linsey Gallagher
President and CEO of Visit Napa Valley (USA)
Presentation
Mil y Central: where there's more outside
6/9/2025 11:40 AM
Virgilio Martínez
Chef at Central (Lima, Peru)
Round table
Redefining luxury
6/9/2025 12:15 PM
Pepe Simón Gámez
CEO of Dehesa Monteros (Serranía de Ronda, Málaga, Spain)
Enrique Valero
Managing Director of Abadía Retuerta (Sardón de Duero, Valladolid, Spain)
Lucía Toro
Managing Director of Nuba (Spain)
Ramón Cobo
Founder of WoolDreamers (Mota del Cuervo, Cuenca, Spain)
Destination women: Tuscany, best practices in women's tourism. Tuscany: the challenge of maintaining success
6/9/2025 1:00 PM
Francesco Tapinassi
General Director of the Tuscany Tourism Promotion Agency
Clara Svanera
Journalist and head of international relations and women's tourism at the Tuscany Tourism Promotion Agency
Presentation
Tailor-made luxury gastronomic trips in rural areas.
6/10/2025 10:00 AM
April Cullom
CEO of ‘5 Sentidos Private Tours’ (USA)
Round table
Collaboration between the public and private sectors in developing non-urban gastronomic tourism.
6/10/2025 10:30 AM
Ana Isabel Fernández Samper
Director General of Tourism, Trade and Crafts at the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain)
Almudena González Gutiérrez de León
Professor of Tourism and Hospitality Law and Storytelling Adapted to Regenerative Tourism Destinations at Saxion University of Applied Sciences (Overijssel, Netherlands)
Rosa Vañó
Commercial Director at Castillo de Canena (Jaén, Spain)
Lucie Lefèvre
Local coordinator for Bordeaux for the Great Wine Capitals Global Network (France)
Round table
Gastronomic heritage as a tourist resource. Using gastronomy as a tourist resource.
6/10/2025 11:00 AM
Enrique Pérez
Chef at El Doncel* (Sigüenza, Guadalajara, Spain)
Juan Carlos García
Chef at Vandelvira* (Baeza, Jaén, Spain)
Rubén Sánchez Camacho
Chef at Restaurante Epílogo* (Tomelloso, Ciudad Real, Spain)
Carlos Teixeira
Chef at Herdade do Esporão* (Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal)
Presentation
The evolution of gastronomic tourism in France
6/10/2025 11:40 AM
Elise Botiveau
Ambassador for the World Food Travel Association (France).
Presentation
A day with the world's best butcher: how to transform a village butcher's shop into a tourist destination
6/10/2025 12:10 PM
Dario Cecchini
Owner of Antica Macelleria Cecchini (Panzano, Chianti, Italia)
Round table
The recipe for gastronomic success in villages with fewer than 300 inhabitants:
6/10/2025 12:40 PM
Nacho Manzano
Chef at Casa Marcial*** (Arriondas, Parres, Asturias, Spain)
David Yárnoz
Chef at El Molino de Urdániz** (Urdániz, Navarra, Spain)
Benjamín Lana
Managing Director of Vocento Gastronomía (Madrid, Spain)
Presentation
Technology in Rural Gastronomic Tourism
6/11/2025 10:00 AM
Juan Monzón
Expert consultant in new technologies (Spain)
Round table
360º wine tourism. Much more than just wineries
6/11/2025 10:30 AM
Rosa Melchor
President of the Spanish Association of Wine Cities (Acevin) and the Wine Routes of Spain.
Francisco Fernández
CEO Bodegas Pago de La Jaraba (Villarobledo, Albacete, Spain)
Santiago Vivanco
Owner of Bodegas Vivanco (Briones, La Rioja, España)
Lucía Fernández Rivera
CEO of Familia Fernández Rivera (Pesquera de Duero, Valladolid, Spain)
Presentation
TasteAtlas, the philosophy of travelling around the world while eating locally
6/11/2025 11:15 AM
Matija Babic
Creador y CEO de Taste Atlas (Zagreb, Croatia)
Round table
Who brings customers to rural restaurants?
6/11/2025 11:45 AM
Clara Pérez Villalón
Influencer, chef, and culinary consultant, content creator (Madrid, Spain)
Francisco Castro
CEO of Adentity (Spain)
Anna Bruno
Journalist specialising in digital tourism and gastronomy (Italy)
Samuel Moreno
Chef at El Molino de Alcuneza* (Sigüenza, Guadalajara, Spain)
Round table
How to create an à la carte gastronomic destination: The case of 'Alto Asón'. Tasting presentation: 'Echoes of the Asón'
6/11/2025 12:25 PM
Nacho Solana
Chef at Solana* (Ampuero, Cantabria, Spain)
David Pérez
Chef at Ronquillo (Ramales de la Victoria, Cantabria, Spain)
Jesús Ramón Ochoa
President of Mancomunidad del Alto Asón (Cantabria)
Partners
Institutional Sponsor
Organizer
