The best Russian salad in Malaga in 2026 is made in the Montes de Málaga and is the work of Juanjo Fernández, from La Minilla.

The Russian salad belongs to that category of dishes capable of combining tradition, technique, and nostalgia in just a few bites. Precisely for this reason, each edition of the Málaga Russian Salad Championship arouses great anticipation within the local gastronomic scene. This 2026, the recognition has traveled to the Montes de Málaga, where chef Juanjo Fernández, at the helm of restaurant La Minilla, has crafted the creation that the jury considered the best in the entire province.

The eighth edition of the Málaga Russian Salad Championship once again made this classic of Spanish cuisine the absolute protagonist of one of the major gastronomic events on the Málaga calendar. The final was held at La Sala de Galera, a venue where some of the most prominent chefs in the province presented their dishes to a multidisciplinary jury composed of hospitality professionals, specialized journalists, chefs, academics, and institutional representatives linked to the Sabor a Málaga brand.

After a demanding blind tasting, the victory went to Juanjo Fernández and his restaurant La Minilla, located in the surroundings of the Montes de Málaga, a place historically linked to traditional Málaga cuisine and, from now on, also to Russian salad.

The championship awarded the dish prepared by Juanjo Fernández, who prevailed in a particularly competitive edition. The level of the final once again confirmed the period of growth and sophistication that Málaga's gastronomy is experiencing, where even seemingly simple recipes like Russian salad have become true exercises in culinary precision.

A podium that reflects the level of Málaga's cuisine

Alongside La Minilla, the podium of the VIII Málaga Russian Salad Championship 2026 included other prominent names from the provincial hospitality scene. The silver medal went to Javier Ruiz, from restaurant La Recaleta, while the third place was awarded to Frutos Arratibel, from Marina Playa in Benagalbón. Three different proposals that demonstrated the variety of possible interpretations around a dish deeply rooted in Spanish gastronomic culture.

One of the most notable awards of the championship was the Most Flavorful Russian Salad of Málaga Award, a distinction that recognizes the use of agricultural products linked to the province. In this edition, the recognition went to Álvaro Ávila, from restaurant El Nacional, whose proposal stood out for highlighting Málaga ingredients and gastronomic references within a traditionally popular recipe.

The championship also awarded the Best Pairing of Russian Salad with Cruzcampo 1904, a recognition that went to Fran Rascado, from restaurant Alaparte. The jury particularly valued the harmony achieved between the culinary creation and the beer proposal presented during the competition.

The organization of the event was once again managed by Media&Chef, responsible for a championship that has established itself as one of the major gastronomic events in the province of Málaga. The event also had the sponsorship of Sabor a Málaga and Cervezas Cruzcampo.