Gastrolovers returns to Los Cristianos with chef Braulio Simancas

Food lovers can enjoy an evening of Canarian flavours in Los Cristianos next month, when Tenerife chef Braulio Simancas presents a special tasting menu at the Arona Gran Hotel.

The dinner, called “Orígenes”, takes place at the hotel’s Jarea restaurant on Saturday 14th November. It is open to visitors and residents as well as hotel guests, with places costing €85 per person, including a wine pairing.

It is the seventh edition of Gastrolovers, a series of dining events organised by Spring Hotels that brings guest chefs to the restaurant overlooking the bay of Los Cristianos.

A taste of the islands

Simancas’s menu takes inspiration from the ingredients and dishes he grew up with, bringing traditional Canarian flavours together with his own approach to cooking.

The evening begins with artisan breads accompanied by goat’s butter, almogrote, Teror chorizo and Canarian olive oil. Almogrote is a rich cheese spread traditionally associated with La Gomera.

Other dishes include Canarian beef tartare, a grouper salad and a spicy mango gazpachuelo. Seafood features throughout the menu, with glazed octopus, locally caught fish and a broth made with limpets and sea snails.

There will also be several preparations of cochino negro canario, the islands’ native black pig, followed by desserts inspired by local recipes. These include quesillo, a caramel custard, and frangollo, a traditional dessert made with maize flour.

A personal journey for the chef

Born in Tenerife to parents from La Gomera, Simancas began his career at Hotel Tecina in La Gomera before opening Tasca El Silbo Gomero in Tenerife in 2002. He later worked at Las Aguas restaurant in Bahía del Duque and has developed a reputation for his work with local cheeses, mojos and other Canarian ingredients.

Places for the dinner are limited, and advance reservations are required through the Spring Hotels website.