Michelin has announed that this year’s Michelin Guide events will be held on digital platforms. On November 30th, the open gala for 2021 Spain and Portugal Michelin Guide “El Debate Con Las Estrellas” (Debate of the Stars) took place in Palacio de Cibeles, Madrid. Spain and Portugal’s most famous chefs got together and discussed what the industry needs.

Actress, journalist and presenter Cayetana Guillén Cuervo hosted the event while Benjamin Lana, the organizer of prestigious gastronomy events such as Madrid Fusión, moderated. 11 chefs from Spain’s 3-star restaurants Joan Roca, Martín Berasategui, Pedro Subijana, Elena Arzak, Eneko Atxa, Jordi Cruz, Quique Dacosta, Ángel León, Paolo Casagrande, Jesús Sánchez ve David Muñoz attended the gala.

Addressing his concerns and criticisms, “If it happens again, we will manage it better, but there has been a lack of sensitivity and empathy with a sector on which many families depend, many jobs, which has given added value to tourism and has been key to the projection of our territory. We feel a little underrated, and it must be said, because there has not been that empathy that we would have needed. It could have been tackled differently.” says Joan Roca, Head Chef of El Celler de Can Roca.

Quique Dacosta Restaurante’s chef Quique Dacosta says: “I am very concerned about the loss of social capital that has cost us so much to build. What about talent? Will we be able to relocate this talent? Because our houses are, after all, training centers. Where is the 60% of the workforce that tourism is going to lose to stay?” directing important questions to the industry.

2021 Spain and Portugal Michelin Guide will be announced with a digital event held from La Puerta del Sol in Madrid on December 14th.