H&T confirms the first chefs and sommeliers for 2026 and will explore AI, digitalization and sustainability in the industry 

Michelin-starred chefs Benito Gómez, Hugo Muñoz, and Víctor Gutiérrez will appear in the Kitchen Lab space, while Sala de Catas (Tasting Room) will feature three prominent sommeliers from the wine industry: Fritz Michael Wöhr, Paco Berciano, and Peter Sisseck.

On the Main Stage, topics such as AI, digitalization, customer experience, entrepreneurship, management, talent acquisition, and sustainability applied to the hospitality, hotel, and tourism sectors will be explored. These themes align with Andalucía Nexus, the Technological Innovation Hub for Tourism of the Andalusian Government.

H&T, the Hospitality Innovation Fair, will take place on February 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at FYCMA (Málaga Trade Fair and Congress Centre), organized by the Málaga City Council.

Málaga, 4 December 2025. – H&T, the Hospitality Innovation Fair, which will be held on February 2nd–4th at FYCMA (Málaga Trade Fair and Congress Centre), has already confirmed the first chefs and sommeliers who will participate in its 2026 edition.

Kitchen Lab, H&T’s dedicated space for live presentations of cutting-edge culinary techniques and innovative gastronomic creations, will feature three top-level chefs, all Michelin-starred. Benito Gómez, owner of the two-Michelin-star restaurant Bardal in Ronda, will present his innovative, locally and seasonally inspired cuisine with strong Andalusian flavors and traditions. Hugo Muñoz, head of Ugo Chan in Madrid, a Michelin-starred restaurant specializing in Japanese cuisine and omakase menus, will also participate. Víctor Gutiérrez, leader of Spain’s only Michelin-starred Peruvian restaurant, Víctor Gutiérrez in Salamanca, will showcase dishes combining traditional Amazonian cuisine with contemporary influences and Castilian products.

These are the first of many national and international chefs confirmed to take part in Kitchen Lab, offering attendees a live display of creativity in a highly specialized space designed to encourage interaction between presenters and professional visitors.

For the Tasting Room, an exclusive area dedicated to oenology, three prominent figures in Spain’s wine industry have been confirmed. Fritz Michael Wöhr, co-founder of Vins Alemanys in Girona, a company specializing in the import and distribution of top German wineries; Paco Berciano, owner of Vinoteca El Lagar in Burgos, one of Spain’s first specialized wine shops, and co-owner and director of Alma Vinos Únicos, a national distributor of Spanish and international wines; and Peter Sisseck, founder of Dominio de Pingus, one of the most exclusive wineries in Ribera del Duero.

These leading experts and sommeliers will present the latest trends in vintages, wines, and production techniques, while also highlighting the artisanal practices still maintained in the industry. These sessions will be complemented by unique tasting experiences, offering attendees deep insights into the best national and international wines, innovative pairing techniques, and the art of mixology.

One of the highlights of H&T 2026 will again be the Main Stage, where key international figures from the hospitality, hotel, and tourism sectors will reflect on the challenges facing a professionalized and growing industry.

Consolidated as a strategic business platform for establishing new partnerships and discovering the latest sustainable innovations, this edition will focus on Artificial Intelligence, digitalization, customer experience, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and talent management—topics aligned with Andalucía Nexus, the Technological Innovation Hub for Tourism of the Andalusian Government.

Expanded Exhibition Area

This ambitious program will be complemented by a large exhibition area, expanded by more than 1,000 square meters this year, with three pavilions dedicated to innovation and showcasing the latest solutions in equipment, services, and gastronomy, now nearly fully booked.

Leading technology and design brands will gather alongside top gourmet product brands, regional promotional labels, and protected designations of origin, bringing together the best of local and international gastronomy. H&T establishes itself as a window of opportunity to access high-potential international markets, fostering connections between buyers and distributors, and providing visibility for standout brands to their target audience.

Professionals will also have access to areas specifically designed for high-level networking, professional and sectoral meetings, and premium training for both companies and institutions.

Additionally, H&T 2026 will host the 7th edition of the H&T Awards, aimed at recognizing talent, innovation, and the most disruptive solutions in the HORECA channel, tourism industry, equipment, services, and gastronomy. Open to large companies, SMEs, micro-companies, entrepreneurs, startups, and spin-offs, the awards offer sector visibility, fair access, and cash prizes for the winning projects. Through the H&T Awards, the fair reinforces its commitment to driving transformation, sustainability, and excellence in the hospitality sector, serving as a reference platform to reward trend-setting initiatives.

H&T is organized by FYCMA (Málaga Trade Fair and Congress Centre), managed by the Málaga City Council. Premium Partner: Andalusian Government’s Ministry of Tourism and Andalucía Exterior. Institutional promoters include the Málaga City Council and the Provincial Council of Málaga through Turismo y Planificación Costa del Sol and the promotional brand Sabor a Málaga. Sector promoters include the Association of Beach Business Owners Málaga-Costa del Sol (Aeplayas), the Málaga Hospitality Association (Mahos), and the Association of Hotel Owners of the Costa del Sol (Aehcos). Golden Partners: Cajamar, Makro, and Nespresso Professional. Silver Partners: Cervezas San Miguel and Solán de Cabras. Bronze Partner: Gastrocampus de Innovación, promoted by the University of Málaga through the Faculty of Tourism.

All the information about the fair is available at www.salonhyt.com, and on its profiles:  Facebook, Instagram, X y Linkedin.