Calentita returns

Get a taste of the best of Gibraltarian and Spanish food

By John Culatto

FOOD-LOVERS in Gibraltar and all the way along the Costa del Sol will be wetting their lips at the return of the ever popular Calentita festival.

Named after the Rock’s traditional dish, a greasy but tasty combination of chick-pea flour and olive oil, the food festival will take place on July 8.

Organisers Word of Mouth and Gibmedia will follow the same format as Jubilita last year, which saw three different squares on the Rock feature different food stands.

Apart from this Jubilita festival to celebrate the ill-fated Queen’s platinum jubilee, it will be the first Calentita festival since 2019.

“This year we are hoping to welcome back some of our regular stalls as well as entice new participants,” a Gibraltar Cultural Services spokesperson said. The festival normally features a combination of food eaten on the Rock, Spanish regional favourites and cuisine from all over the world including India, China and Europe.

“I am thrilled that this very popular social and cultural event will be back again this year,” Minister for Culture John Cortes said.

“It’s a unique way of celebrating and enjoying the diverse cultural identities that make up our wonderful community.”

Calentita has a long history in Gibraltar, is sold at local shops