The Spanish Hospitality Federation awards the Valencian company for its leadership in gastronomic innovation, sustainability, food waste management, social inclusion, and digitalization.
Published in Valencia Plaza on November 7, 2025
The Valencian company Gourmet Catering & Eventos received yesterday the National Hospitality Award for Innovation, granted by Hostelería de España, the confederation that represents more than 300,000 companies in the sector across the country.
These awards, considered the highest distinction in the Spanish hospitality industry, recognize every year those companies, professionals, and institutions that stand out for their innovation, sustainability, social commitment, support for culture, and professional excellence.
The award presented to Gourmet Catering & Eventos acknowledges the company’s ability to combine tradition, innovation, and social commitment through projects that transform gastronomy into a driver of sustainable, technological, and human development.
With this recognition, the company becomes the second catering firm to receive a National Hospitality Award, following Carifood, which was honored in 2024 in the category of “Hospitality company committed to social responsibility.”
With over 75 years of experience, Gourmet Catering & Eventos has established itself as a national benchmark in bespoke gastronomy and event management, organizing more than 2,500 events per year and serving over 360,000 guests.
Its innovation strategy is structured around five key areas – gastronomic innovation, social innovation, sustainability, food waste management, and people management – making it a pioneering business model within the Spanish hospitality industry.
“This award reinforces our purpose to innovate with purpose — to turn every event into an experience with a positive impact, and to show that excellence can also be built through social responsibility and sustainability,” said Raquel Vicente Bezjak, Managing Director of Gourmet Catering & Eventos.
Gastronomic innovation and 360º sustainability
Gourmet Catering & Eventos integrates research, creativity, and sustainability as the foundation of its gastronomic approach, developing projects that merge science, design, and environmental awareness to deliver unique and memorable culinary experiences.
The company has one of the largest R&D+i departments in the Valencian Community and operates a 1,600 m² sustainable production center powered entirely by renewable energy.
Among its initiatives are the MagNuS Project, focused on sustainable innovation in collaboration with CEMAS, the Valencia Conference Centre, and the University of Valencia, among others; a corporate and MICE event menu endorsed by the Chefs’ Manifesto; and experiences such as FTALKS 2024 by KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub, combining gastronomy and social reflection.
Its commitment to sustainability is reflected in a 360º impact model that integrates environmental, social, and economic dimensions, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. Notably, the company collaborates with Dr. José Miguel Soriano (University of Valencia) in a research project promoting operational efficiency and sustainable employment in the hospitality sector.
One of its most remarkable milestones is the implementation, together with the startup Naria, of a pioneering food donation system using blockchain technology, ensuring full traceability and transparency of each donated meal. Since its launch in 2023, the system has recovered more than 9,800 kg of food, equivalent to 23,500 meals and a CO₂ reduction of 24,700 kg.
Social innovation and labor inclusion
As the gastronomic partner of Asindown’s project “La Mare Que Va,” Gourmet Catering & Eventos has promoted a model of labor inclusion and practical training for people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities. The program has generated over 650 hours of event employment, 28 job placements, and 20 inclusive agents trained within the team, turning event organization into a genuine tool for social transformation.
Digital transformation and smart talent management
In the technological field, Gourmet Catering & Eventos has achieved full digitalization of human resources management through the platforms Sesame and Beeple, which coordinate more than 600 employees and enable automated shift planning, digital time tracking, performance evaluations, and advanced analytics — reducing incidents and improving efficiency, internal communication, and transparency.
Raquel Vicente Bezjak, Managing Director of Gourmet Catering & Eventos, received the award during a gala organized by the Provincial Association of Hospitality and Tourism Entrepreneurs of Castellón, host of this year’s edition.
The event, which brought together representatives from 52 regional hospitality associations across Spain, highlighted initiatives that drive the growth and strengthening of the hospitality industry at local, national, and international levels.
In this 19th edition, awards were presented in 18 categories, recognizing companies such as Grupo Tatel for its international projection; chef Pedro Sánchez “Pedrito”, from Jaén, in the hospitality entrepreneur category; Grupo El Pòsit, from Tarragona, for its commitment to sustainability; Guía Repsol, as an institution promoting gastronomy; and Cervezas Alhambra, as an exemplary supplier in the sector.