The new contest for the creation of a dessert inspired by Talayotic Menorca was presented today, May 18, at the Consell Insular de Menorca (CIM). Organized jointly by the Asociación Profesional de Pastelería, Panadería y Afines de Menorca (APAME, Professional Association of Pastry, Bakery and Related Products of Menorca) and the CIM, the "El dolç talaiòtic" contest is one more of the actions included in the MT Communication Plan, so that both residents and visitors can link and identify the winning dessert with the candidacy. The registration period started today and will close on September 23 at midnight. The awards ceremony will be held on October 1.
A maximum of 18 participants may submit their sweet proposal to the contest, provided that it is new creation and has not been previously marketed. The winner will receive a 5,000 euros (VAT excluded) prize, and the rest of the participants 500 euros each (VAT excluded). The winning dessert will become APAME’s property, who will distribute its preparation and composition among all member entities for selling it.
The presentation of El dolç talaiòtic counted with the participation of the Vice President and conseller of Cultural Affairs, Miquel Àngel Maria; and the president of APAME, José Ángel Giménez. In his speech, Maria stressed that one of the most important aspects of a World Heritage candidacy is that society makes it their own, and this is happening in 
Menorca. “If Menorcans already had a big esteem for its prehistoric heritage, the candidacy has promoted citizen and even business initiatives that make Talayotic Menorca a broad, transversal project that goes far beyond archaeology”, and added that APAME's involvement in this contest is a good example.
For his part, the president of APAME wanted to highlight the total predisposition of the guild to participate in this contest and thus support Talayotic Menorca in the process to become a World Heritage Site, but also once its nomination has been achieved, if that is the case. The objective is that both residents and visitors can link this dessert to Talayotic Menorca and buy it in the island's pastry shops.
The jury of the contest will be made up of three representatives of the Consell Insular and three of APAME. They will value the creativity and originality in the presentation of the dish, as well as the use of typical Menorcan pastry flavors. The dimensions and consistency, that have to be suitable for transport, contemplating its possible sale and shipment outside Menorca will also be taken into account.
Watch the full press conference here.
Photo: from left to right, General Manager of PIME, Jordi Bosch; Vicepresident and conseller of Cultural Affairs, Miquel Àngel Maria; José Ángel Jiménez, president of APAME; Raquel Marqués, insular director of Cultural Affairs and Heritage.