A Culinary Adventure in Fuerteventura: ‘Magic Celebration by El Pellizco’
Introducing ‘Magic Celebration by El Pellizco’
Chef Rigoberto Almeida has recently launched ‘Magic Celebration by El Pellizco,’ a new catering service tailored to bring his culinary expertise into various settings across Fuerteventura. Hailing from the kitchens of his restaurant ‘El 19’ at the Jandía Golf Hotel, this fresh initiative expands Almeida’s culinary horizons beyond his usual locales, creating personalized celebration experiences throughout the island.
The Vision Behind the Initiative
This exciting venture comes on the heels of the debut of Almeida’s summer menu, entitled ‘Experience.’ Comprising five distinct courses, this new catering line prioritizes a more casual and relaxed dining experience as opposed to the formalities typically associated with his flagship establishment, El Pellizco Costa Calma. It’s an evolution aimed at making quality cuisine more accessible for a variety of gatherings.
Comprehensive Event Planning Services
But ‘Magic Celebration’ isn’t just about food. Almeida’s team has crafted a comprehensive package that includes full event organization—ranging from thematic decorations and ambient music to entertainment and audiovisual setups. Clients are encouraged to customize their events based on preferred locations, with even some options allowing for culinary gatherings aboard a yacht designed for such celebrations.
Diverse Menu Options
The catering service kicks off with three fixed menus and a selection for casual dining or tapeo. These menus are priced between 45 to 130 euros, featuring some of Almeida’s signature dishes. Diners can anticipate delicacies like smoked peto tiradito with passion fruit aguachile, goat charcuterie crafted personally by the chef, and exquisite entrecôte with habanero chimichurri paired with local Fuerteventura fries. Seafood lovers will enjoy dishes such as prawns in sweet potato curry with a yucca crisp.
The casual dining menu boasts tantalizing options like Canarian nachos, goat cheese croquettes, and shrimp lollipops paired with bacon and dates, along with decadent chocolate brownies. For those opting for the tapeo experience, delightful dishes await—think pickled pejines, Majorera-style Gilda, and sushi influenced by local flavors.
To complement the food, planners can enhance the experience with sweet tables, open bars, and bespoke cocktail services—truly a feast for both the eyes and the palate. The bespoke nature of the service ensures it can cater to a wide range of client needs, whatever the occasion may be.
Rigoberto Almeida: A Culinary Journey
Almeida’s journey in the culinary world has roots deeply embedded in his rich background. Born in Cuba to a Canarian family, he was initially immersed in the restaurant scene through his grandparents’ establishment, also named El Pellizco. His professional path led him to graduate with a degree in Food Chemistry and gain experience in Cuba’s famed ‘La Bodeguita del Medio’ before finding his home in Fuerteventura.
Upon relocating to the island, Almeida established a notable career beginning at San Borondón where he became head chef. Following this, he sharpened his skills at the prestigious Cordon Bleu culinary school and in 2018 opened his first restaurant, El Pellizco in Morro Jable, with partner Yahimara Ferrand.
His culinary accolades continued to rise as he graduated from the Basque Culinary Institute and opened Lo Nuestro Jandía after the successful launch of his first venue. The highlight was the launch of ‘El Pellizco by Rigoberto Almeida’ in 2023—a contemporary dining spot featuring breathtaking views and a heavy emphasis on tasting menus.
The Modern Dining Experience and Future Plans
Kick-starting in December 2023, Almeida’s latest restaurant boasts an impressive layout of 600 square meters, accommodating up to 16 diners with distinct spaces: a tasting menu dining area, a covered terrace, and an outdoor terrace with sea views. The wine collection features 220 references from Fuerteventura, other regions of the Canary Islands, and select international offerings.
The restaurant’s day-to-day operations are in the capable hands of Ferrand, a certified sommelier, while Adneris Hernández manages the dining hall. Almeida himself dedicates his efforts to both kitchen creations and pastry, opening the doors to patrons from 14:00 to 23:00 daily—except Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Newly set to be available on the menu are three curated tasting options: ‘La Guantamera’ for 110 euros, ‘La Majorera’ at 80 euros, and the approachable ‘Experience’ menu priced at 40 euros. The introduction of the new catering arm supplements these offerings, allowing Almeida to expand his culinary reach into celebrations of all kinds—be they weddings, private parties, or corporate gatherings across the picturesque island of Fuerteventura.
Recognition and Future Endeavors
Almeida’s culinary prowess has not gone unnoticed. He earned the Gold Medal in ‘La tapa del bonito,’ received the esteemed ‘Tapa Platino’ in Fuerteventura, and was a finalist in the 2023 National Tapas Competition in Valladolid, standing out as the sole representative from the Canary Islands. In 2025, he was named Chef Revelation of the Canary Islands by the Guía Qué Bueno, also receiving recognition from Repsol for his contributions to the culinary world.
With plans to act as a consultant for the newly opened restaurant ‘19’ in the Jandía Golf Hotel, launching on November 19, Almeida’s journey continues to evolve. This focus will further shape the operations of ‘Magic Celebration by El Pellizco,’ allowing him to bring his extraordinary culinary talents to various celebration formats across Fuerteventura—one plate at a time.
