13 restaurants compete for the throne: in search of the best Russian salad in Malaga in 2026

The Galera Room in Torremolinos will be the venue where the best Russian salad of Málaga in 2026 will be chosen this upcoming Monday, May 25. The VIII Málaga Russian Salad Championship Media & Chef Trophy comes loaded with new features and 13 contenders aiming to be crowned with the best recipe of this traditional Spanish dish. Restaurants from across the province will vie for the title won last year by Mariano Rodríguez, from Eme de Mariano, who is this time a judge at the championship.

The Galera family space, as it was for the croquette contest, will be the location for this new edition that seeks the Russian salad recipe that most dazzles the jury. There will be three awards: gold, silver, and bronze for the best. Additionally, recognition will also be given to the Russian salad with the most Sabor a Málaga –those made with local products–; as well as the Best Pairing with Cruzcampo 1904 Beer Award, for the salad that best matches this beer reference.

Among the chefs and cooks, as well as restaurants, participating in this VIII Málaga Russian Salad Championship Media & Chef Trophy are many familiar faces, as well as a runner-up. Fran Rascado, from Alaparte, was last year's second-best Russian salad in Málaga and this edition he seeks excellence. There are also chefs of notable pedigree, such as José Andrés J. Marcos, from Almijara Casual Bar; Álvaro Ávila, now among the stoves of El Nacional, opened a few months ago; or Sergio Redondo, from Rub Smokehouse, present in last year's croquette contest organized by the same house.

Participants of this edition

In addition to these, from Málaga capital are also present Ana Rollán and Guadalupe Peñalver, from Juana Paloma; Teresa Otero, from La Despechá Taberna; or Juanjo Fernández, from La Minilla. From other parts of the province come other chefs like José Luis Vallejo, from Asador Puerta de Málaga (Casabermeja); Kile & Rocío, from Cuatro Cuartos (Torremolinos); Frutos Arrabal, from Chiringuito Marina Playa (Torre de Benagalbón); Álvaro Herreros, from El Taller (Torremolinos); Borja Tejedor, from La Bodeguita de Borja (Arroyo de la Miel); and Ismael López, from Olivia & Sophia (Frigiliana).

• Fran Rascado, from Alaparte (Málaga).
• José Andrés J. Marcos Almijara Casual Bar (Málaga).
• José Luis Vallejo Asador Puerta de Málaga (Casabermeja).
• Kile & Rocío Cuatro Cuartos (Torremolinos).
• Frutos Arrabal Chiringuito Marina Playa (Torre de Benagalbón).
• Álvaro Ávila El Nacional (Málaga).
• Álvaro Herreros El Taller (Torremolinos).
• Ana Rollán y Guadalupe Peñalver Juana Paloma (Málaga).
• Borja Tejedor La Bodeguita de Borja (Arroyo de la Miel).
• Teresa Otero La Despechá Taberna (Málaga).
• Juanjo Fernández La Minilla (Montes de Málaga).
• Ismael López Olivia & Sophia (Frigiliana).
• Sergio Redondo Rub Smokehouse (Málaga).

The jury that will taste the best

As usual in these contests, Leonor García-Agua, director of Sabor a Málaga, will be the president of the diverse jury that will taste each of the participating Russian salads. Alongside her will be the aforementioned Mariano Rodriguez Sánchez (Eme de Mariano), as well as other winners of the contest such as Pepe Gómez (Grupo La Reserva) and Willie Orellana (Uvedoble Taberna). Also present will be the executive chef of Doña Francisquita Catering Iván Rubio. In the journalistic section, the jury will include Luis Villatoro (La Opinión de Málaga), Fernando del Valle (Canal Málaga and Academia Gastronómica de Málaga) and this writer, representing Málaga Hoy.

Gastronomic influencers such as José Luis Malo (La Pupila Gustativa-ABC Gurmé) and José Cabello (Sobre Gustos y Vida Económica); deans Bella Palomo and Antonio Peláez, from the Faculties of Communication and Tourism of the University of Málaga, respectively; Juan Francisco Galera (CEO of Comercial Galera), Alberto Sánchez (CEO of Doña Francisquita) and Sergio Ocaña (Manager of Cruzcampo Málaga).

The renowned firm Doña Francisquita, official catering of the event, will sign the gourmet service of this gastronomic experience sponsored by the Provincial Council of Málaga-Sabor a Málaga and Cervezas Cruzcampo, who will award prizes to the Russian Salad with More Sabor a Málaga and to the Best Pairing of Russian Salad with Cruzcampo 1904, the innovative premium beer presented at this Championship. The organization also thanks for the support received from the D.O.P. Aceituna Aloreña and Royal Bliss (Coca Cola Group); from the Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oils of Queo (from Porcuna, in Jaén) and the Pan de Cristal by concept and the regañás from Pan de Olivo, three essential products in the Russian salad and distributed by Comercial Galera.