Red prawns under the spotlight in annual Denia competition

EIGHT chefs will be competing in the 10th edition of Denia’s Gamba Roja (Red Prawn) contest on April 5

The eight finalists were chosen from the 64 professionals who applied to take part in the competition which will be supervised by Michelin-starred Rafa Soler, famous for his Calpe restaurant.

While two of the finalists are from Alicante province – Alejandro Tur is from Denia and Ignacio Caro has a restaurant in Villena – others are from as far afield as Tarragona, Caceres and Canyamel-Capdepera in Mallorca.

The Gamba Roja competition, famous for the avant-garde chefs that it has attracted for the last 10 years will, as always, take place in Denia’s municipal market.

And, as is customary, the prized red Denia prawns will be provided by the local fishing guild and each contestant will be asked to produce 11 portions for the members of the jury.

Presentation, flavour and the prominence of the prawns that are the hero of the dish will earn or lose marks for the chefs competing for first, second and third prizes of €2,500, €1,500 and €1,000 as well as a prawn sculpture for each of the final three.