Rafael Triguero
Buzzing with a passion that goes far beyond politics, Rafael Triguero, mayor of Ibiza Town, describes his culinary adventures, his love for local dishes, and his vision for positioning Eivissa town as a world-famous foodie destination. In this interview, Triguero shares his favourite dishes, talks about the island’s culinary evolution, and underscores the wealth and diversity of food in Ibiza.
We know you’re a big food enthusiast. Where does your passion for food come from, and how has it influenced your personal and professional life?
The truth is I’ve always been passionate about food and, for years now, my friends and I have travelled around Spain and chosen our destinations based on whether you can eat well at reasonable prices there. I’ve been lucky to try restaurants and bars of all kinds, from places with Michelin stars to neighbourhood bars, and I love them all. I consider myself to be a true foodie and often recommend places to my friends and family. When I visit a city, I like to research recommended places and also discover spots for myself.
How has the food scene in Ibiza evolved in recent years?
With joy and excitement. I’m convinced that Ibiza Town is one of the best places in the world to eat. I’ve always supported the island’s potential thanks to its local products, culinary tradition, and the fusion of cultures and influences we have here, which make us a unique destination in terms of food. We’re a Mediterranean destination, with the rich heritage that entails, and have been heavily influenced by the numerous people who have visited us for decades. The arrival of avant-garde cooking, new, internationally prestigious chefs, and Michelin stars has shone a spotlight on our food, which is hugely positive, and is also a boost to traditional food. Public institutions need to drive things forwards so that Ibiza is talked about for its range of food too, and at the City Council we’ve made it one of the three key areas for positioning Ibiza as a tourist destination, alongside culture and heritage.
What do you think have been the key factors that have led famous chefs with Michelin-starred restaurants to set up in Ibiza?
Ibiza is one of the best tourist destinations in the world, and it welcomes visitors of many different nationalities. What people do in Ibiza has international repercussions, and that’s hugely attractive for any brand. Private enterprise took the reins a few years ago, repositioning the island towards more premium visitors, refurbishing restaurants and hotels, moving them up a category, and welcoming restaurants that didn’t previously have a presence on the island. This, and the fact that the island is one big window to the world, encouraged these famous names to come here, but restaurants with local chefs also received a boost, and it even meant that young talents now see the food of our island as a career with future potential. Local government has to ensure these initiatives last and that they work to strengthen food on the island, not just the new food we have now but also the traditional food we need to help people discover.
Ibiza is impressively diverse in terms of food, from local neighbourhood bars to Michelin-starred restaurants. How would you describe this diversity and what does it mean for the town?
As I mentioned earlier, it’s what makes us unique. This combination, this diverse range, is what makes us an attractive destination for foodies. No one eats at Michelin-starred restaurants every day, but you can alternate different types of food during your trip. You can go out for tapas one day, and have a long, drawn-out restaurant meal the next. There are days you fancy trying something new, and others you prefer a safe bet. Our wealth comes from this variety, in the fact that you eat well, with a good variety and excellent products, in almost any restaurant. And fortunately, that’s what we have.
Do you think traditional cooking has succeeded in keeping its flame alive in the midst of modernisation and international influences?
Yes, as I mentioned, traditional Spanish food, and Ibizan food, is so delicious and varied that it’s one of our biggest draws, and that of any destination. In fact, modernisation and internationalisation has actually made us appreciate it, improve it, and strengthen it.
What measures are being taken to promote and preserve local food among visitors?
Food is one of the three key areas we are using to position Ibiza Town as a tourist destination, and we’ve been working with this approach from the first day. It’s one of the powerful messages that we’ve conveyed at all the tourism fairs we’ve attended this year. At the same time, we’ve increased communication on our visitor-orientated channels, are updating our visitibizacity.com website, and modernizing our social networks with more attractive, audiovisual content where food plays a really important role. We’ve implemented an AI tool that can draw up travel itineraries for visitors, tell them what to visit, and help them find a restaurant that suits their tastes and preferences, if they ask it. We’re in the middle of making a guide to local restaurants, doing photoshoots, planning actions with different publications and experts, influencers, etc. We’ve also given the city’s food awards a bigger profile and have held several local competitions during the winter, such as the ones for seafood rice, and tortilla with Ibizan potatoes. This is just the beginning.
As a dedicated foodie, what is your favourite type of food?
It’s a tough choice, but if I had to pick one, I’d say any rice dish, especially “arròs de matances”, that’s my weak spot. But I also love tapas: fried octopus makes me really happy.
Which are your favourite restaurants in Ibiza Town?
I can’t pick one, Ibiza Town has the highest density of bars and restaurants per square metre on the island. Each one has its own charm, and they are great for different occasions. I can’t choose between the tortilla at Gran Prix, the cannelloni at Astro, or the fried octopus at Bar Nou. It would be unfair not to mention dozens of places.
Ibiza Town will be one of the most important food destinations in the world
What is your vision for the future of food in Ibiza?
I firmly believe that we’re going to succeed in positioning our food in the place it deserves. In a few years’ time, when people talk about Ibiza Town, they’ll say it’s a beautiful, magical place with world-class heritage, and also that it’s probably the best place in the world to eat out. We have to keep on working, it’s a long-distance race, but I’m convinced that Ibiza Town will become one of the most important food destinations in the world.
Is there a project or food initiative in the municipality that particularly excites you right now?
There’s a lot of work that is still invisible. We’ve only been in government for a few months but we’re working hard to improve our positioning, hand in hand with businesspeople and chefs. We’re creating materials, guides, implementing technology, modernizing websites, analysing data, improving communication channels, and professionalising the way we market our destination. We’re also working closely with restaurants themselves, as we have a shared goal. We’ve seen the first small steps of all this, but slowly but surely it will become more obvious and the results will be clear to everyone. As I said, there’s lots of invisible work, but it’s all headed in the right direction.
What role do food events play in promoting the culture and heritage of Ibiza?
Every bit helps. Food events often help to break down prejudices, and to show off dishes or restaurants that a local resident or visitor might not have otherwise tried. They shine a spotlight on food, generate repercussions, have an impact in the media and on social networks. I’m happy when I see people talking about Ibiza Town in these terms, I think it’s a good sign.
What advice would you give to foodies who visit Ibiza for the first time?
Go with the flow. And apart from visiting the busiest tourist areas, they should also visit our local neighbourhoods, go into our bars, try new things, enjoy our tapas. They should discover our traditional food, try local products, and visit the city’s restaurants. They have the very highest quality. International cuisine is great, but I’m convinced that, if they have the chance to try food from Ibiza Town, they’ll be surprised. They should try it, explore a bit, and try some more. You can eat your way around the whole of Ibiza Town.
