Two Costa del Sol ham carvers crowned world champions in Ronda’s first ever jamon contest

Estepona and San Pedro Alcantara have reason to celebrate this week, as two local ham cutters helped their region claim the title of Best Ham in the World at the first-ever World Ham Championship.

Three days of festivities

Ronda’s Convento de Santo Domingo hosted three days of festivities as, for a long weekend it became the epicentre of Spain’s jamon culture. Driven by entrepreneur Enrique Tomas, the inaugural Mundial del Jamon (World Ham Championship) brought together producers, professionals, experts and enthusiasts from across the country, all keen to celebrate the heritage and craftsmanship behind one of Spain’s most treasured foods.

Los Pedroches takes the crown

Cordoba’s Valle de los Pedroches ultimately triumphed, becoming the first-ever champion of the contest. Victory owed much to two skilled cutters from the Costa del Sol: Agustin Hernandez and Juanma Quiros, whose exquisite knife work helped win over judges and crowds throughout the weekend.

Hernandez runs his own shop, Ibericos Agustin Hernandez, on Avenida Valencia in Estepona, while Quiros heads up Carniceria Pepe on Calle Marques de Estella in San Pedro Alcantara. Both are well known on the local circuit, regularly appearing at Estepona’s own Certamen Mundial de Jamón ‘Popi’. Comments and congratulations flooded in across social media for the winning duo.

Fundraising event coming to Estepona

Fresh from their triumph in Ronda, Hernandez and Estepona town hall are now preparing a charitable event of their own. Forty professional cutters will gather at Plaza del Ajedrez on Sunday, September 13, from midday until 6pm, for the first Ham Cutters’ Solidarity Gathering (Encuentro Solidario de Cortadores de Jamon).

Visitors can sample succulent plates of jamon for just five euros, with proceeds going to the incredible Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) in Estepona, go along for a chance to taste championship-quality ham while supporting a worthy local cause.