Controversial Cuba Sabe Culinary Festival inaugurated amid economic crisis

In the midst of a complex economic crisis in which thousands of families lack access to basic foods, the Cuban regime inaugurated the controversial "Cuba Sabe" Culinary Festival organized by Lis Cuesta, who serves as the country's first lady.

The fifth edition of this gastronomic event opened at the exclusive Iberostar Grand Packard Hotel in Havana and will be dedicated to the Spanish heritage in the island's cuisine.

The Spanish ambassador to the island, Ángel Martín Peccis, attended, highlighting Cuba's potential as a culinary reference in the Caribbean, the magazine reported. Gourmet Excellences.

However, the images do not show the presence of Cuesta, wife of ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel and who has been highly criticized for promoting these luxurious events in a country full of misery.

"Cuba occupies a special place in our hearts. We firmly believe in the importance of betting on Cuba Sabe. This event has the potential to become the main gastronomic benchmark in the Caribbean," said the diplomat.

"It is essential to strengthen the relationship between identity, culture, tourism and gastronomy, so that Cuba positions itself as a reference in the Caribbean. We not only want to attract visitors for its beautiful beaches, but also for its rich culture, history and, fundamentally, for its gastronomy "The idea is that people say: I'm going to Havana to eat, because the food is very good," he said.

After the inauguration on Thursday, chefs from Cuba and Spain exchanged presentations on "Iberian ham colors, flavors and texture", by Juanjo Escolano.

This time the CUBASABE contest was inaugurated, on bread with suckling pig.

Since last year and despite the crisis generated by shortages and inflation as a result of the erroneous economic policies of the Cuban ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel, his wife Lis Cuesta and the Ministry of Tourism, they promoted several culinary events like Cuba Sabe and the Varadero Gourmet International Festival, held last September.

According to them, they try to "safeguard Cuban Creole food."

Last year Cuba Sabe was also celebrated at the luxurious Iberostar Grand Packard hotel, and had China as a guest country.

All luxury behind closed doors and some exclusively reserved spaces; But on the street, Cubans continue to suffer the worst food crisis since the so-called Special Period, a panorama that, in the opinion of several economists, will worsen in 2024 with the new measures announced by the regime in December.

The shortage on the island has led many families to limit themselves to one meal a day, and even regulate pork, the essential animal protein in Cuban gastronomy.

After the beginning of the Díaz-Canel government, it became an obsession for the regime to show the world the strength of the Island's gastronomy, although this was in absolute contradiction with the lack of food in the country.

In 2019, in the midst of the so-called "bread crisis", the Cuban regime inaugurated the Gastrocult event; and a year later, on January 9 and 11, 2020, the second edition of the international event was held, but this time it was announced as "Cuba Sabe 2020." The event was not held in 2021, apparently due to the Covid-19 pandemic.