Sevilla Orange Days (Jornadas Gastronómicas de la Naranja) is my favourite of the various local culinary competitions that have sprung up over the past few years. To me there’s nothing more emblematic of my adopted city than the beautiful Seville oranges (and of course their fragrant blossom – the azahar –  which became my internet handle many years ago and is now also the name of my website). This is the third year for this very special orangetastic gastro-event and each year it gets better and better.

As in the two previous editions, over 30 local tapas bars and restaurants will be competing to create the best tapa using Sevilla oranges, but this year there will be two different categories: Sevilla Orange Tapa with a drink for 2.75€ and a Gourmet Orange Tapa with a drink for 4€. Aside from the selected panel of judges, the public is also invited to vote for their favourite tapa. More info on Visita Sevilla.

For those who participate in the voting there will be a draw for 10 fabulous food hampers containing artesanal products from these local suppliers:

• Inés Rosales: orange flavoured crisp breads
• Basilippo: orange olive oil
• Mermelada la Vieja Fábrica: orange marmalade
• Bodegas Góngora: orange wine
• Burnaj: orange sparkling wine
• Obrador Valle de la Osa: orange chocolate

In addition 1000 kilos of oranges will be donated to local food banks and – this is really cool – on February 14 at Santa Justa Station, and on February 17th at Sevilla airport, visitors will be greeted with an orange and a brochure about Seville Orange Days.

The Alfonso XIII Hotel will hold two Orange Day events: an orange product trade show and tasting on February 21st from 12.00 – 20.00, and a cooking demonstration by chef and author Dolphin Cabrera on February 22nd at 12.00.

[Sevilla Orange products – click on image to enlarge]

As always, I take my duties as Sevilla Tapas Queen very seriously and will be going to as many of the participating bars as possible. You can follow my progress on Twitter @SevillaTapas hashtag #naranjadesevilla. Meanwhile, here is a list of the participants so you can do your own judging…