- The jury selected eleven proposals that stood out for their sustainable, innovative approach aimed at improving the gastronomic experience
- The awards, organised by Alimentaria+Hostelco, reflected the trends that are defining the future of the hospitality industry
The Horeca Awards 2026, organised by Alimentaria + Hostelco, recognised eleven initiatives and professionals that represent the evolution of the sector towards more efficient, inclusive and creative models. The edition highlighted the industry’s commitment to innovation applied to areas such as collective catering, organised and independent catering, hotel hospitality, food technology, space design and integral sustainability.
In the Collective Catering category, the distinction went to Eudec Food for its catalogue of 5 different ranges of textured dishes aimed at people with dysphagia. The jury recognised its variety, organoleptic quality and presentation, which facilitate operations in centers where adapted texture is essential.
The award for the best Kitchen Project went to Welbilt Iberia SAU for Afterlife FoodHub, a modular gastronomic container that enables a high-performance professional kitchen for large-scale events in less than 48 hours. In Organised Catering, the winner was Garden Pizza Family, recognised for a concept based on quality products, a strong brand identity and a solid commitment to sustainability.
In the Independent Catering category, the award went to La Barra del Indiano, which offers a constantly evolving monthly tasting menu where Spanish roots and Peruvian creativity converge. The jury highlighted its collaboration with local producers and the key role of the service team led by Rosa López. Ilunion Hotels received recognition for the best Hotel F&B for Umániko, a project that combines social inclusion – with more than 70% of the workforce made up of people with disabilities – with an adapted Mediterranean gastronomic proposal, responsible consumption models and community impact actions.
The Interior Designer award went to the Hotel Alimara Barcelona for Gastrosense, an initiative that incorporates computational neuroscience and multisensory design to transform the SUMMUM restaurant. The space adapts to diners´ emotions and cognitive responses, creating comfortable, intuitive and balanced environments.
In the Restaurant category, the award went to Fishology Foods for The New Delicatessen of the Sea, a catalogue of sausages made entirely from fish that reduces waste from 54% to 3%.
The Fully Equipped award went to Unox for EVEREO,® a hot refrigerator that keeps food at serving temperature for days without loss of quality. Its technology allows it to preserve texture, flavor and aroma, reduce waste and optimize the operational efficiency of professional kitchens.
At Bakery & Pastry, the winner was Iberital for the VISTA model, a double-boiler espresso machine designed under criteria of sustainability, energy efficiency and thermal precision that brings significant improvements to the specialty coffee service.
In the Tech category, the Digital Retail award went to Proppos for an artificial intelligence and computer vision platform that digitises key processes in kitchens and canteens, from smart self-checkout to hospital plating validation and food waste monitoring.
Finally, the Professional Career Award went to Jordi Butrón, widely regarded as one of the great leading figures in contemporary pastry and an innovator who has redefined the concept of dessert from a creative, precise and deeply technical perspective.
Alimentaria + Hostelco also hosted the first edition of the Best Bread Award, with a jury made up of bakers, historians, food critics and baking experts, who recognised Iker Oroz from Anik Panadería, for his technique, flavour, texture and overall quality.
Connecting the industry and hospitality of the future
Alimentaria+Hostelco, organised by Alimentaria Exhibitions, a Fira de Barcelona company, included the participation of 3,300 exhibiting companies, which occupied 100,000m2 net and 7 pavilions, practically the entire Gran Vía venue of Fira de Barcelona. The event celebrated its 50th anniversary and received more than 110,000 professional visitors, 25% of them international, reaffirming its leadership as the main platform for business, internationalization and networking.
Barcelona, March 24, 2026