The 45th edition of the Aplec del Caragol de Lleida is being held this weekend with a forecast of 14 tons of snails and 95,000 liters of beer for the 16,850 members of the 124 registered groups. The concentration of people in each plot, with an average of 130 attendees, has led some of the groups to reinforce the organization of meals.
This volume of attendees per space has opened up room for external services within an event linked to group cooking. Some groups have opted to hire private chefs to cope with a consumption rate that goes far beyond the snail dish.
The 124 groups bring together 16,850 people in plots with an average of 130 attendees
The Federation of Groups of the Aplec del Caragol de Lleida expects that 14 tons of snails will be served during the weekend. To this figure, 95,000 liters of beer are added in the event's venue, one of the city's major festive events.
In this context, some groups have delegated part of the cooking to professionals. The average of 130 attendees per plot requires multiplying logistics for lunches, meals, and dinners, especially when the same group has to serve dozens of people over several days.
Josep Vila will cook for five groups and serve more than 500 people
One of these cases is that of Josep Vila, owner of the catering service Mister Pla't, who has been cooking at the Aplec for 30 years. This weekend he will prepare meals for five groups and serve more than 500 people within the venue.
"In addition to snails, especially 'a la llauna', but we also make them with samfaina, or with onion and tomato to vary a bit, we prepare country stew, stewed beef, fideuá, and paella" - Josep Vila, owner of Mister Pla't
Vila works directly in each group's space. The service is not limited to a set menu, but adapts the offer to the requests of each group and the service capacity during the weekend.
"The price is 5.50 euros per portion and we cook them on-site, meaning we travel to each group's venue to prepare the meals" - Josep Vila, owner of Mister Pla't
The Aplec's activity has already begun beyond the central days. Yesterday, the Cultural Week continued with a barbecue at the Raimat winery, as part of the celebration's preliminary program.
Today, at 7:00 PM, Camps Elisis will host a habaneras sing-along.