Five Mijas chefs awarded with the prestigious Red Jacket Award

Five Mijas chefs – Esteban Sedeño, Fran Peinado, Lupe Rodríguez, Mathew Lee, and Salvio Cantón – have earned the prestigious Red Jacket All Stars award, recognising their dedication to honest gastronomy, customer service, and sustainability. 

The accolade, part of the 10th anniversary celebration by the All Stars Group, places them among Andalucía’s top 25 chefs.

On Monday, 17th March, the chefs visited Mijas Town Hall where Ana Mata welcomed and praised them for their contribution to Mijas’ culinary reputation. ‘It’s an honour to have these professionals in Mijas. Mata added that the chefs’ work enriches Mijas’ rich gastronomic offerings and highlights their importance to the community. Ángel Marcos, honorary president of All Stars, added, ‘These chefs elevate Mijas as a gourmet destination through their commitment to quality and local products.’

Esteban Sedeño, a leading figure with his restaurants ConFusion and In the Beach, spoke for the group, expressing pride in ‘taking Mijas cuisine to new heights with limitless ambition.’ 

Fran Peinado’s Alboka blends global flavours with a creative twist, while Lupe Rodríguez’s El Panal de la Reina champions farm-to-fork cooking with her own garden and honey. Mathew Lee shines at Mardi Group’s Eskina, and Salvio Cantón’s La Catedral gains regional acclaim.

During the visit, Alboka and El Panal de la Reina received the All Stars Recommended Red Plaque for excellence, joining nearly 50 elite Andalucía establishments. Alboka was lauded for its worldly fusion and stylish décor, while El Panal earned praise for its seasonal, zero-kilometre ingredients. Mijas is becoming a gastronomic hotspot, thanks to the chefs who are driving this growth.