World's Best Ham by PataNegra.dk

In Spain, carving an Iberian ham is not simply about slicing meat. It is a craft. An art form, really. The angle of the knife, the thickness of every slice, the way the ham is presented on the plate, everything matters. Even the smallest detail can separate a good cutter from a great one. And this year, that distinction belonged to Francisco Javier García Pérez, a ham cutter from Aracena, Huelva, who was crowned champion at the XVIII National Ham Cutters' Competition in Jerez de los Caballeros during the XXXVI Iberian Ham and Dehesa Fair. He left with the competition's competition, the “Golden Knife", and that was not all. He also won the award for best creative plate, adding another trophy and an extra €100 prize to an already memorable day. Not bad at all. A Double Victory on the Carving Stand Winning the Golden Knife is already considered a major achievement among ham carving professionals across Spain. Taking home a second award on the same day made the moment even big...

The scent of oak, cured meat, and autumn air already drifts through the mountain town of Aracena, as it gears up for one of the most anticipated events in Andalusia — the XXVIII Feria Regional del Jamón y del Cerdo Ibérico. This 28th edition will once again turn Aracena into the beating heart of Iberianflavourr, welcoming locals and visitors alike over two festive weekends: October 17–19 and October 24–26. Declared a Fiesta de Interés Turístico de Andalucía, the fair is much more than a local gathering. It’s a proud reflection of the region’s heritage — the land, the oak forests, and the centuries-old craft of raising and curing Iberian pigs that define Huelva’s mountain life. Tradition and Quality Above All Aracena’s mayor, Manuel Guerra, and development councilor Carlos García recently presented the fair’s program and poster. Guerra explained that while the event continues to grow, it never forgets its roots: “We keep the essence alive — quality, livestock tradition, and the authent...