Oliva National Coca Competition crowns Tapes la Xara winner

The seventh edition of the Concurs Nacional de Coques Ciutat d’Oliva was held on September 21 at the Centre Polivalent. Chef David Castelló Ruiz, representing the establishment Tapes la Xara from La Xara (Dénia), won the first prize for “Best Coca in the World” with his “Coca frita de berenjena de aquí y de allá.” The winner received a trophy, a diploma, and a 1,000 euro check.

Other notable winners included Zagara Bistro from Valencia, which took second place with “Coca a Mar,” and Restaurante El Montgó from La Sella, which earned third place. Additional awards were presented for the most creative coca to Restaurante El Nàutic in Oliva, the market coca to Forn Sant Josep del Palmar, and the Mahou prize to Picanterra from Cullera.

The event was organized by the Associació Gastronómico-Cultural Amics de les Coques d'Oliva (AGACO) in collaboration with the Oliva Department of Tourism. The jury was chaired by journalist Paco Alonso and included chef Yoshikazu Yanome.