Torremolinos Will Crown the Costa del Sol’s Best Espetero on 1 August

The traditional espeto will once again take centre stage in Málaga’s summer gastronomy. Torremolinos will host the 12th edition of the Costa del Sol Espeto Competition on 1 August 2026, bringing together professionals from beach restaurants across 14 coastal municipalities to find the province’s best espetero.

The competition will take place at Oasis beach restaurant, in Los Álamos, next to Playamar. Organised by the Torremolinos Business Circle, the event aims to recognise the skill of the professionals who keep one of Málaga’s most representative culinary traditions alive.

Espeteros from Across the Málaga Coastline

The competition is open exclusively to professionals living in municipalities of Málaga province located on the Mediterranean coast. This means contestants may come from coastal towns stretching from Nerja to Manilva.

Representatives from 14 municipalities are expected to take part in this year’s event, demonstrating their ability to control the fire, position the cane correctly and cook the fish to perfection.

The competition brings together professionals from different parts of the coastline and highlights the different approaches used to prepare a dish that has been passed down through generations in Málaga’s chiringuitos.

Two Espetos to Demonstrate Their Skills

Each contestant must prepare two different espetos during the competition. The first must be made with sardines, while the second can feature a fish chosen by the participant.

The jury will assess several elements of the preparation process, including cooking technique, preparation time, the flavour of the sardines and the final presentation.

The judging panel will consist of food industry professionals, public figures and espeto enthusiasts. The final decision will consider both the finished dishes and the technical precision demonstrated during the cooking process.

A Tradition at the Heart of Málaga’s Identity

The competition is about more than awarding a prize to the best espetero. Its organisers also aim to protect a tradition closely linked to Málaga’s beaches, chiringuitos and coastal way of life.

Preparing a good espeto requires careful control of the position of the fish, the angle of the cane, its distance from the embers and changes in wind direction. Although the technique may appear simple, it requires considerable experience to achieve an even cook without drying out the fish.

The event also seeks to encourage generational renewal and inspire younger professionals to learn a craft with more than a century of history.

The Espeto’s Bid for UNESCO Recognition

The organisers also support the campaign for the art of preparing espetos to be recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

The aim is to protect this traditional method of grilling fish over hot coals and acknowledge its cultural, social and gastronomic importance.

More than a simple sardine dish, the espeto has become an iconic image of summer in Málaga and an essential part of the cuisine developed along the Mediterranean coast.

The Torremolinos competition therefore serves as a showcase for the knowledge and experience of local espeteros while helping reinforce this tradition’s place within Málaga’s cultural heritage.

A Poster Celebrating Life by the Sea

The official presentation of the competition was held at Larry beach restaurant in La Carihuela, where the poster for this year’s event was unveiled.

The colourful illustration features an espeto in which one sardine is facing in the opposite direction on the cane.

According to the interpretation presented during the launch, the image represents people who become so caught up in their daily routines that they sometimes forget how fortunate they are to live beside the sea.

The poster reinforces the cultural nature of the competition and its message that the espeto is not simply a dish, but also part of Málaga’s landscape and identity.

Institutional and Business Support

The 12th Costa del Sol Espeto Competition is supported by Málaga Provincial Council through the Sabor a Málaga brand, Torremolinos Town Council and the Association of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol.

San Miguel beer joins the event this year as its official sponsor, supporting a competition that has become one of the leading gastronomic events of the summer on the Málaga coast.

Practical Information

Event: 12th Costa del Sol Espeto Competition
Date: 1 August 2026
Venue: Oasis beach restaurant
Area: Los Álamos, next to Playamar
Municipality: Torremolinos, Málaga
Participants: Professionals from 14 coastal municipalities in Málaga province
Competition dishes: One sardine espeto and one espeto made with a fish of the contestant’s choice
Organiser: Torremolinos Business Circle

Information source: 101TV