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Málaga-based chef José Manuel Molina wins the Creative Cooking Contest with Elche Pomegranates
The young chef impressed the jury with a dish featuring pomegranate escabeche, beetroot crunch, and cheese ice cream with cantueso liqueur.
José Manuel Molina, chef of the restaurant La Brasería de Carmen in Torre de Benagalbón (Málaga), has won the 15th edition of the Creative Cooking Contest with Elche Pomegranates, held this morning at La Finca restaurant by Susi Díaz (1 Michelin star).
His winning dish, titled “Ganbatte”—a Japanese word meaning personal growth and evolution—stood out for its refined combination of Elche Mollar pomegranate escabeche, a crunchy pomegranate and beetroot element, and a cheese ice cream with cantueso liqueur. Thanks to this nuanced and flavour-rich creation, the young chef received a cash prize of €1,500 and a €300 Tescoma voucher.
Molina expressed great joy and enthusiasm after receiving the award, admitting that it was “a risky bet” that ultimately paid off.
The jury, composed of master pastry chef Paco Torreblanca; Kiko Moya, chef of L’Escaleta restaurant (2 Michelin stars, 3 Repsol Suns); and Elche-based chef Susi Díaz (La Finca, 1 Michelin star, 2 Repsol Suns), highlighted the exceptionally high level of the finalists and the difficulty of choosing a winner.
In this regard, jury president Susi Díaz noted that the winning dish was “simple, yet full of personality and character,” and emphasized “the incredible combination of cheese with pomegranate and beetroot. It was a discovery in every sense.” She also praised the overall quality of the competition: “Every year we learn more from the contestants—how they work, how they treat the product—and we continue to discover genuine culinary talent.”
Osvaldo Andree Sejas and Antonio José González take second and third place
Second place went to Osvaldo Andree Sejas from La Era de los Nogales restaurant (Sabiñánigo, Huesca) with his dish “Mollar de Elche Rubies on Scallop and Cucumber,” earning €600 in cash and a €200 Tescoma voucher.
Third prize was awarded to Antonio José González from +IDEAS restaurant in Higueruela (Albacete) for “Duck à la Granada: Soul of Elche.” Fourth place went to Pedro Giménez Jaria from Finca Mas Solers (Peralada Group, Sant Pere de Ribes, Barcelona) with “Everything from Mollar Pomegranate and Red Prawn.” Antonio José González and Pedro Giménez received €300 and €100 in cash, along with Tescoma vouchers worth €150 and €100, respectively.
A gastronomic event of national significance
Elche’s Councillor for Tourism and Culture, Irene Ruiz, emphasized “the importance of supporting local products and the strong connection between the Mollar pomegranate and the Camp d’Elx region. For Elche, having products that differentiate us and allow us to shine in tourism and gastronomy is a true source of pride.”
Meanwhile, Francisco Oliva, President of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Granada Mollar de Elche, stated that “this competition has become a symbol of quality and versatility for both contestants and, above all, for the Mollar pomegranate.” He added that “the contest is built on three fundamental pillars: commitment to local products, creativity in the kitchen, and the discovery of new culinary talent.”
Oliva also thanked the sponsors who made the competition possible, including Cajamar and Tescoma, as well as collaborators such as the Elche City Council, VisitElche, the Alicante Provincial Council, the Costa Blanca Tourism Board, the gastronomic brand L’Exquisit Mediterrani, Alicante Gastronómica, and supporters including chef Susi Díaz, Eurotoques, and the gastronomy blog Carolus Cocina.
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