Contest Rules
A traditional contest in Salon Gourmets, as in 1994 took place its first edition and 27 editions later is one of the most awaited. Six contestants compete to prove their cutting skills facing a jury of professionals that values factors such as: thickness and length of the slice, straightness of the cut, presentation, neatness and speed among other aspects. In addition, they will have to calculate a portion of 100 grams, demonstrate their knowledge of ham culture by answering a related question and present a dish with each of the main parts of this product: Maza, Babilla and Punta. Each contestant has an hour and a half to elaborate the perfect Spanish ham plate and so become the Best Ham Cutter of Spain in the Cutting Contest, Dehesa de Extremadura.
First Prize
Mirko Gianellaa
Jamón Experience
(Roma)
Second Prize
Juan Barragá Escarmena
(Fuente de Cantos, Badajoz)
Third Prize
Justo López Jareño
Casa Justo Restaurant
(Ciudad Real)
Jury:
Elena Diéguez, President of the Regulatory Board of the PDO Dehesa Extremadura
Elena Arzak, Arzak Restaurant Chef
Andrea Tumbarello, Don Giovanni Restaurant Owner
Pedro Larumbe, Grupo Larumbe
Francisco Javier Morato, PDO Dehesa de Extremadura Member and Hams and Hams Shoulders Producer.
Begoña Tormo, Telemadrid and Canal Cocina Television - journalist and gastronomic presenter
Selected contestants:
Eva María García Hernández, Brindisa, Borough Market (London)
Justo López Jareño, Casa Justo Restaurant (Ciudad Real)
Juan Barragán Escarmena, Fuente de Cantos (Badajoz)
Marcos Gutiérrez García, SanJamón (Valladolid)
Mirko Gianella, Ham Experience (Rome)
Carolina Ruiz Gómez, Aldiana Hotel***** (Cádiz)