The American, Thomas Keller, has received the Gastronomika 2022 Homage Award, taking over from the Frenchman, Alain Ducasse. 

One of the most successful chefs in the world, and a star in the United States, this Monday Thomas Keller has received the Gastronomika 2022 Homage Award, but virtually, as the American has had to stay away as he is recovering from Covid. However, the organisers sent him the award and a makila (a Basque chief’s walking stick), and Keller replied with a thank-you video. 

In this video, holding the makila, he apologised for not being here in person “although I’d have loved to have come, as Gastronomika is an extraordinary congress, that some of the best chefs and restaurants in the world take part in. It’s a congress that helps to share knowledge, in which I had the good fortune to take part in 2010, a moment that I remember as one of the best in my career. Thanks a lot for this award from the bottom of my heart”, he said in closing.
The Homage Award Ceremony coincided with the official opening of the event, that the Technical Committee members, Martín Berasategui, Elena Arzak, Josean Alija, Andoni Luis Aduriz, Eneko Atxa and Pedro Subijana, and its director, Roser Torras took part in. The director-general de Vocento Gastronomy, Benjamín Lana was also present, and he made a play on words with the guest country (United Kingdom) and the philosophy of the congress: “Right from the start Gastronomika has kept the same idea: Encouraging knowledge and sharing it among the professionals in the sector. This is why, in contrast with this symbol of a breakup that Brexit represented, we are supporting the culinary anti-Brexit”. Both aspects also mark the slogan for the current congress, United Kulinary, “a symbol of the unity that has always been, and is, exemplary in the gastronomic sector”, Torras recalled.

On behalf of the representatives from the UK, one of its great contemporary stars, Simon Rogan (L'Enclume***, Cumbria, UK) come up on stage, and said he was “delighted to be here. Together with my colleagues, we hope to be able to share what is going on in the UK, which is really exciting”. San Sebastian Gastronomika 2022 was starting.
Thomas Keller 

“Hello to everyone in San Sebastián, a lovely city, with a fabulous cuisine as well as an extraordinary congress, that some of the best chefs and restaurateurs in the world, and influential journalists take part in. it’s a congress that helps to share experiences and knowledge among us chefs, as well as with the public. I had the good fortune to be at the 2010 event, a moment that I remember as being one of the best in my career. This time I would have loved to be there, but I’m recovering from Covid and I preferred to stay at home. However, from a distance I want to say thank you for the award and show how proud I am of being worthy of it, right from the heart. I wish you all an extraordinary congress”.

Historical San Sebastian Gastronomika – Euskadi Basque Country Homage Awards

2010 Karlos Arguiñano
2011 Luis Irizar
2012 Nouvelle Cuisine
2013 Francisco López Canís
2014 Pedro Arregui
2015 Basque Culinary Center
2016 Gastón Acurio
2017 Michel Bras
2018 Juan Mari Arzak
2019 Carme Ruscalleda
2020 José Andrés
2021 Alain Ducasse