Costa Brava's gastronomic heritage continues to be enhanced, as Joan Roca, the eldest of the three brothers that oversee the seminal Catalan restaurant El Celler de Can Roca, is presented with The Chef's Choice Award, at the World's Best Restaurant awards.
The Chef's Choice Award is voted for by the other chefs from The World's 50 Best Restaurants list, with its website (http://www.theworlds50best.com/awards/chefs-choice-award) stating the award: "recognises an individual who has gained the respect and admiration of their peers. There is little doubt that Joan Roca has earned that praise and recognition in abundance."
Renowned for his pioneering culinary techniques, which have inspired chefs worldwide and influenced the gastronomic landscape, Joan, alongside his brothers Josep, a globally renowned sommelier, and Jordi, one of the world's best pastry chefs, continue to blend Catalan traditions with avant-garde techniques in their Girona-based restaurant, El Celler de Can Roca, which is regarded as one of the world's best.
In addition to this prestigious award, Costa Brava's reputation as one of the world's leaders in gourmet cuisine has been further enhanced, following the success of the IAGTO Costa Brava Golf Trophy, which celebrated 50 years of golf in the region and commemorated the award-winning golf destination's 'Year of Golf and Gastronomy'.
Staged in partnership with the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), the Catalan Tourist Board, the Costa Brava Tourist Board and the Golf Association Costa Brava, the IAGTO Costa Brava Trophy welcomed over 80 golf tour operators from 23 countries, including the UK, Germany, Scandinavia, America, Canada and China.
Invited guest, Ross Hey, director at Golfstream Travel in Canada, commented: "The golf courses and accommodation were excellent and I see a great potential for promoting Costa Brava as a golf, wine and gastronomy destination for our clients in Canada."
Ramón Ramos, Director of the Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board, said: "The week-long celebration of golf and gastronomy during the IAGTO Costa Brava Golf Trophy provided the opportunity for international golf tour operators to discover this unique destination in north east Spain in greater depth.
"Costa Brava attracted more than 105,000 international golfers in 2015 and with some of Europe's leading golf courses, the best chef in the world and a globally recognised gastronomic offering, we are on target to see that figure grow to 125,000 in 2016, further cementing the region's position as one of Europe's leading golf destinations."
The culturally rich Costa Brava region, which celebrates 50 years of golf in 2016, caters for every golfer's needs, with venues ranging from European Top 100 layouts, to 18-hole Par-3s, which are ideal for novices, junior golfers and players who want to hone their short games.
The region's venues include:
PGA Catalunya Resort - home to Spain's No.1 golf course* and Europe's Best Golf Resort 2015**
Golf de Pals - Costa Brava's oldest golf course, which celebrates its 50 th anniversary in 2016
Club de Golf Costa Brava - one of the region's oldest courses and a good test for all standards of player
Torremirona Golf Club - enjoying wonderful views of the Pyrenees
Club de Golf Peralada - the region's northern-most course designed to environmentally-friendly specifications
Par 3 Gualta - ideal for those looking to perfect their short game or new to the game
Club Golf d'Aro - Mas Nou - 300m above sea level and offering stunning vistas of the coast
Emporda Golf - featuring two distinct 18 hole courses designed by Robert von Hagge
Golf Girona - located just four kilometers from the centre of Girona.
