The 14th Varadero Gourmet International Festival continues at Cuba's main tourist resort as a showcase where the regime projects an image of luxury and sophistication, entirely disconnected from the harsh reality faced by the people, exemplified by the presentation this Thursday of a Creole version of the espresso martini.
Cuba Café proudly showcased on Facebook its collaboration with the Cuba Ron corporation, where they created a version of the espresso martini that combines the gourmet coffee "Guantanamera Algo Diferente," the rum "Perla del Norte," and a touch of cacao liqueur.
The entity described the gourmet product as a "coffee made from blends of the Arabica variety, with a subtle flavor, clean, good body, and medium acidity in the cup," an extravagant display that contrasts sharply with the reality faced by the population, who are struggling with food shortages and an economic crisis that keeps them far from any possibility of enjoying such luxuries.
"Cuba Café expressed that the 'Expression of Cuba's gastronomic culture' is reflected in the creole version of the espresso martini, a statement that is ironic since most Cubans currently have little access to a decent coffee."
The 14th International Varadero Gourmet Festival will take place until Friday at the Plaza América Convention Center in the resort city of Matanzas, all amid one of the worst economic crises the country has faced in decades.
While the people lack food for their tables due to the shortages and inflation caused by the failed economic policies of leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, event participants will discuss the topic of "The Evolution of Cuban Gastronomy," as reported by the website Excelencias Gourmet.
The event brings together experts from the professional field through various conferences and will also feature cooking, gastronomy, and cocktail competitions, as well as specialized exhibitions. However, it also represents a media and political construction that is far removed from the reality of the average Cuban, who is experiencing severe food shortages.
The Varadero Gourmet event has sparked numerous reactions from people who criticized the Cuban leader for hosting an international food festival at a time when the population is grappling with one of the worst food crises in its history.
While many households struggle to put food on the table, the regime inaugurated the 14th Varadero Gourmet International Festival on Wednesday, with great fanfare, featuring cooking competitions, gastronomy, and mixology.
"Given the hunger that most Cubans are facing, seeing these things fills us with indignation. They do it deliberately; there is no respect for my people, most of whom are elderly and sick," commented an internet user on CiberCuba's Facebook post.
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