L’Escorxador de Sitges hosted the closing event on Monday for the Ruta del Xató 2024-2025, the annual initiative combining gastronomy and tourism and promoted by the municipalities in the counties of Garraf, Alt and Baix Penedès to emphasise the value of xató as an identifying dish for the local area.

Various officials and representatives from the Ruta del Xató attended the event, including the Mayor of Sitges, Aurora Carbonell, the Councillor for Tourism with Sitges Town Council, Xavi Ripoll, the chair of the Ruta del Xató, Núria Carbó, and the ambassador for the 2024-2025 edition, the renowned gastronome Roser Torras.

During the ceremony, institutional speakers described the season as “very positive and participatory”. The Councillor Xavi Ripoll emphasised the value of the project as a “shared tool for promoting tourism and territorial cohesion”, noting that this year’s event was aligned with Catalonia’s distinction as World Region of Gastronomy 2025.

One of the most moving moments was the award of the ceremonial mortar to the ambassador Roser Torras by Núria Carbó, as a symbol of thanks and recognition for her work during the year. During the interview conducted by Núria Carbó, Roser Torras noted that “the variety of versions of xató unites us as a territory”, emphasising “the passion and the future among young people and children”.

The Mayor, Aurora Carbonell, rounded off the institutional ceremony noting how proud Sitges is to be part of the Ruta del Xató, and the importance of promoting local produce as a vehicle for culture and identity.

After the ceremony, those attending enjoyed a guided tour of the Espai de Festes, a tasting for local products and some light refreshments with live music.

Having closed out the season, the Ruta del Xató will now prepare for a new edition, continuing to foster culinary culture and collaboration between municipalities. The campaign will continue to promote xató as a a gastronomy symbol with its own identity and international potential.