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PanFest was created with the goal of establishing Zamora as the world capital of quality bread and flour

The project brings together farmers, millers, bakers, and chefs to promote high-quality flour and bread as part of our cultural heritage.

In a province where the smell of freshly baked bread still lingers in the collective memory, Zamora took a decisive step yesterday to turn that legacy into a commitment to the future. The city gathered at the Palacio de la Encarnación, headquarters of the Zamora Provincial Council, two hundred representatives from the grain, milling, baking, and culinary sectors to celebrate the first Bread and Flour Symposium and present PanFest, a project that aims to restore artisanal bread—and the flour that makes it possible—to the place of prestige it historically held but has gradually lost due to the sector’s industrialization.

The initiative, promoted by Caja Rural de Zamora and organized by Madrid Fusión, is structured around two major milestones: an interdisciplinary conference in June 2026 and an International Bread Festival in 2027, which will fill the city with activities, demonstrations, and events open to the public. As part of the festival, the first edition of the International Bread Cup will also take place—an international baking championship where 500 loaves from bakers across various countries are expected to be tasted.

During the project’s presentation, Benjamín Lana, director of Madrid Fusión, explained that PanFest represents much more than a gastronomic event. He emphasized that “we must champion flour and its origin; not everything goes in the world of bread. We must champion quality flour and ensure it holds a place of respect, just like olive oil or wine, because valuing flour means committing to healthier, tastier, and fairer food.”

For his part, the general director of Caja Rural de Zamora, Cipriano García Rodríguez, stated that the province has the necessary structure and ambition to lead this initiative, insisting that “we must do things on a grand scale, with humility, but with confidence.” He also noted that “the agri-food, tourism, and energy sectors are the essential productive sectors in Zamora, and we must aspire to be leaders in flour and bread.”