The first World Ham Championship already has rivals: companies from Salamanca that want to crown the best ham in the world

The event was created to celebrate Iberian ham, its regions, its producers, and the entire culture surrounding one of the great icons of Spanish gastronomy. Eight finalist producers, from some of the most traditional areas, will compete for the title. The best part: there will be no professional jury. Attendees will participate in a comparative tasting and choose the winning ham. Absolutely delicious.

Ronda, world capital of Iberian ham for three days

The first edition of the World Ham Championship is being held at the Santo Domingo Convent in Ronda, in the Málaga mountains. It can be visited over three days: today, Friday, from 11:00 to 21:00, tomorrow, Saturday, from 11:00 to 19:00, and Sunday from 11:00 to 13:00.

Entry to the tasting experience costs 15 euros and includes Iberian ham and water. It's a direct way to taste, compare, and decide which of the eight hams deserves the title. However, it's best to go with a discerning palate and a bit of patience, because acorn-fed cured meat requires a leisurely pace.

The format couldn't be more straightforward: the public pays, tastes, compares, and votes. No closed committees or technical scores. This return to popular appeal fits perfectly with the World Cup's concept: to celebrate Iberian ham as a product of territory, landscape, and craftsmanship.

The two companies from Salamanca that are fighting for the crown

From Salamanca and Guijuelo will be Chacinerías Díaz and Aljomar; from Jabugo, the Jabugo Consortium and Micsa (Hnos. Velázquez); from Extremadura, Señorío de Montanera and Montesano; and from Los Pedroches, Ibedul and Sierra Morena. Four territories, eight hams, and one crown.

The event wouldn't have been complete without showcasing the hams of Salamanca and Guijuelo, one of Spain's most prestigious designations of origin. Eight producers from regions with their own distinct character are represented in the final round.

Chacinerías Díaz boasts a history dating back to 1907, with four generations dedicated to Iberian and white-breed pork. Its factory is located in the Castellanos de Moriscos Industrial Park and has a production capacity exceeding 1.5 million kilos of cured meats and 600,000 hams. It is one of the leading factories in Spain specializing in traditional processes, with initial cold curing followed by finishing in natural drying sheds.

The Guijuelo designation of origin, one of the most established in Spain, is once again represented twice. This is no coincidence: its cold, dry mountain climate helps to achieve slow curing and a very appealing marbling.

Aljomar, based in Guijuelo, aims to add to its already impressive list of achievements, which includes the 2022 Spanish Food Award for Best Iberian Ham, granted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The company began in 1969 as La Salmantina, the Iberian ham shop that Alfonso Sánchez and Carmen opened in the Triana neighborhood. That shop was the origin of what is now Aljomar.

Having the public choose the winner through a comparative tasting gives this World Cup a cheeky and democratic touch that is captivating.

Popular tasting, price and schedules: note before you go

The great appeal of this first edition is that the prize isn't decided by a professional jury, but by the attendees themselves. Each person participates in a comparative tasting and votes for the ham that, in their opinion, deserves to be crowned the Best Ham in the World.

The process is simple and very foodie-friendly: you pay your entrance fee, taste the finalist hams, and choose. No filters, no speeches, just acorn-fed ham, texture, marbling, and a lot of instinct. To understand what makes Iberian ham so special, it's best to look at the curing process and the fat marbling.

Organizing a public tasting of this size also has its challenges: you have to carve the food by hand, maintain the temperature, and serve many portions in just a few hours. But the reward is an audience that becomes both judge and influencer.

The fact that a competition showcasing Iberian ham from Jabugo, Extremadura, and Los Pedroches is being held in Ronda reinforces the idea that ham is culture, territory, and celebration. The format of fairs and public tastings connects producers with the public and, above all, rewards authentic flavor.

If you're nearby or fancy a foodie getaway, this is the plan: a stroll through Ronda, a tasting of Iberian cured meats, and voting with your taste buds. It's hard to beat a weekend like this.

🍽️ The foodie card

• 🏠 Location / Establishment: World of Ham.
• 📍 Location: Convent of Santo Domingo, Ronda (Málaga).
• 🍴 Type of food / Specialty: Iberian ham tasting with eight finalists.
• 💰 Average price: 15 euros for entry to the tasting.