La Huerta: la casa caraqueña que España reconoció como suya – El Nacional

La Huerta, a long-standing restaurant in Caracas, Venezuela, has been officially recognized by the Spanish government as an ambassador of Spanish gastronomy. The establishment is the only restaurant in Venezuela to receive the Restaurants from Spain qualification, a distinction created by ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones.

The recognition, part of the Marca España (Spain Brand) initiative, is designed as a tool for support and acknowledgment rather than a traditional gastronomic critique. It identifies restaurants operating outside of Spain that can serve as global ambassadors for the country’s culinary traditions. Globally, more than 510 restaurants across more than 50 countries have achieved this status.

Certification Requirements and Validation

To earn the certification, La Huerta underwent a six-month process of submitting and fulfilling a detailed list of requirements. These standards focused on the authenticity of ingredients and the professional capacity to represent Spanish cuisine.

The requirements for the qualification included:

• The mandatory use of Spanish olive oil.
• The presence of Spanish wines as a considerable percentage of the restaurant’s wine list.
• The inclusion of specific Spanish cheeses, such as Manchego and Cabrales.
• The employment of a sommelier or a knowledgeable individual capable of recommending the wines.
• The use of authentic Spanish kitchen tools, including pots and paelleras.

The certification process concluded with a validation and analysis conducted by a specialized committee. This committee was composed of representatives from several prominent Spanish institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Real Academia de la Gastronomía, the Federación Española del Vino, the Consejo Regulador de los Vinos de Jerez, and the Guía Repsol.

History of La Huerta

Founded in 1984 by Gumersindo Romano, La Huerta is located in the Sabana Grande neighborhood of Caracas, situated at the corner of Calle Santos Erminy and Avenida Francisco Solano. The restaurant has maintained its presence at this location for four decades.

The notification of the award arrived via a digital diploma sent by email from Madrid. This diploma allows the restaurant to display its status as a Marca España establishment in a visible area of the premises for public verification.

The institute notified us of the good news: we are ambassadors of Spanish gastronomy in Venezuela.

Gumersindo Romano

La Huerta currently serves approximately 100 diners daily. The establishment is awaiting a formal visit from the Spanish diplomatic corps to officially formalize the distinction.