The Texas Restaurant Association announced that Tony Abruscato, its chief marketing officer, has been selected to serve as an international jury member for the 10th World Tapas Championship in Valladolid, Spain, this November.
According to an Oct. 22 TRA news release, the competition brings together chefs representing 16 countries to showcase their creativity, technical expertise and interpretations of one of Spain’s most celebrated culinary traditions. Abruscato will join a panel of international culinary professionals and industry leaders tasked with evaluating tapas creations, the association said.
Abruscato called the selection “an incredible honor,” saying food has an extraordinary ability to connect people, cultures and communities. He said he looks forward to experiencing the talent of chefs from around the world and representing the Texas restaurant industry at the event.
Emily Williams Knight, Ed.D., president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association, said in the release that the association is proud of Abruscato and his international recognition. She credited him with expanding the reach and impact of the Texas Restaurant Show and creating new opportunities to connect the industry with culinary talent and innovation from around the world, and said his selection reflects TRA’s commitment to elevating Texas hospitality on the global stage.
The announcement also points to a Texas link to the competition. TRA said it is expanding its engagement with the international culinary community through the Lone Star Tapas Showdown, the sanctioned U.S. Championship of the World Tapas Competition. The national competition will take place during the 90th Texas Restaurant Show, July 11-12, 2027, in San Antonio, bringing chefs from across the United States together to compete for the opportunity to represent the country at the World Tapas Championship in Valladolid, according to the release.
Abruscato said in the release that the effort is about building relationships, celebrating culinary excellence and creating a pathway for American chefs to showcase their skills on a global stage. As TRA prepares to mark the 90th anniversary of the Texas Restaurant Show, the association said it continues to elevate the event’s national profile through new culinary experiences and partnerships.