From 18 to 20 September 2026, Gombrèn, a small village in the Ripollès region, becomes the hub of a special gathering where food and place come together to highlight local products and mountain life. The Field Lab «Everything begins underground», organised by Radicea, offers three days to reflect and explore fresh perspectives on cooking, landscape and sustainability.
With fewer than two hundred residents, Gombrèn raises a key question: can a small village thrive on what nature and the land provide? This is the premise behind the initiative, bringing together professionals and enthusiasts in a project that goes beyond gastronomy.
More info here: https://www.radicea.com/fieldlab
Friday 18: tasting the landscape and reducing waste
La Fonda Xesc will be the meeting point to start the event with an afternoon full of reflections and experiences. Chef Ada Parellada will share her approach to mindful cooking and cutting food waste, while wine expert Núria Artiaga will talk about Recaredo wines and their connection to the land.
Dinner will be a highlight: prepared by Francesc Rovira, a Michelin-starred chef for over a decade, paired with biodynamic Recaredo wines, it will offer a direct taste of the forest and soil surrounding Gombrèn.
The evening will close with a jazz concert by Sara Lilu & Alesander Peña, adding an artistic and calming touch to the day.
Saturday 19: ideas and cooking for rural areas
The second day focuses on collaborative work among professionals from various fields. Discussions will centre on potential partnerships between producers, restaurateurs and mountain projects, thinking about the future of the Pyrenees and rural zones.
Notable is the session «The architecture of taste» with Ricard Galiana, helping to visualise the local food landscape and how to organise it. Work will also focus on turning ideas into concrete collaborations to boost the region.
To end the day, a cooking workshop featuring the Ripollès sheep and local mushrooms will offer a unique hands-on and culinary experience. Participants will enjoy a dinner made with these ingredients, accompanied by Recaredo wines.
Sunday 20: ethnobotanical walk and wild aperitif
The final day moves activities to Gombrèn’s Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants, where experts like Lluís Borrell and Conxita Cortina will lead a walk to discover edible and medicinal wild plants.
The day will end with an aperitif-lunch prepared by three local professionals, serving dishes inspired by the valley’s natural larder and paired with Recaredo drinks.
Practical info for enjoying the Field Lab in Gombrèn
Activities are flexible: you can join for a single day or the whole weekend, with options including the sessions, workshops, dinners and the final aperitif. There is an option including accommodation and breakfasts, limited to 20 places.
Gombrèn is close to La Pobla de Lillet, a village with attractions like the Artigas Gardens and the Catllaràs Chalet, linked to Gaudí's architecture, perfectly complementing the Field Lab’s culinary and nature experience.
- Bring comfortable and warm clothing for outdoor activities
- Advance booking is recommended as places are limited
- Local products and biodynamic wines will be available to taste during the event
- Gombrèn is in Ripollès, accessible from Barcelona and other parts of Berguedà
- Combining the activities with a stay to explore nearby natural and cultural surroundings is advisable
If you want to extend your weekend and complete this experience with a peaceful mountain retreat, we recommend our accommodations in La Pobla de Lillet and Borredà. Discover our apartment in La Pobla de Lillet or the apartment in Borredà, ideal for relaxing after a full day of food and nature.
