The small Obrador Abantos, located in San Lorenzo del Escorial, is now crafting the best loaf of bread you can taste in Madrid. That's what the jury of the seventh edition of the annual competition 'The Best Bread in Madrid' decided, organized by the Matador Club Space. 35 bakeries from the region took part in the competition, all of which champion the craft of baking and the artisanal production of this highly valued product in Spanish culture and gastronomy.
The jury, composed of six professionals from the bakery industry and chaired by the food critic José Carlos Capel, decided which bread deserved to win through a blind tasting, evaluating five criteria: appearance, baking, crumb, smell, and taste. The winning piece stood out for its contrast between the delicate and very juicy crumb and a thick, crunchy crust.
David Solana, Alberto Solana, and Mercedes Pérez
The Abantos Bakery was founded by David and Alberto Solana and Mercedes Pérez around five years ago. They advocate for a culture of quality bread, prioritizing top-notch ingredients, from the flours used to the controlled sourdough.
In San Lorenzo de El Escorial
The Abantos Bakery was founded by David and Alberto Solana and Mercedes Pérez about five years ago
After winning the grand prize in the competition, this small bakery from San Lorenzo de El Escorial will be the official supplier of Club Matador for a year. The other five finalists were Alma Nomad Bakery, Clan Obrador, Levain Tahona Artesana, Mision Bakehouse, and Panadarío. All of them presented two one-kilo loaves made only with wheat flour, water, yeast, and salt.
The best bread in the Madrid region
In previous editions of the competition, the bakeries Crustó, Panem, CientoTreinta Grados, Acid BakeHouse, Marea Bread, and Novo Mundo have been proclaimed as the creators of the best bread in Madrid. The contest organized by Club Matador is inspired by an event that has been held for over 30 years in Paris to choose the best baguette in the city. The winner becomes the supplier to the Élysée Palace for a year.