At the Mercat de l’Olivar in Palma, there’s a bustling atmosphere. Gastronomy guide Deborah Piña begins her food tour for tourists with a few words about this symbolic marketplace: “The Olivar Market was built 50 years ago. Here you’ll be able to immerse yourselves in the Mediterranean identity of Mallorca,” says Piña, who has made it her mission to bring visitors closer to her homeland’s culture by presenting the island’s cuisine.

Piña is actually a law graduate and sociologist. How is it that someone from such a different professional background now offers culinary experience tours? “I got to know my homeland from a different perspective.” She is the daughter of a French mother and a Mallorcan father. “I only became aware of the interesting traditions around me after studying in Barcelona and spending time in France.” It was only then that she engaged more deeply with the culture and discovered how much she was fascinated and inspired by traditional practices.

“I only became aware of the interesting traditions around me after studying in Barcelona and spending time in France.”

Journalist Sibylle Tiessen, who leads this portrait series about Mallorcans, is especially pleased with the protagonist of the 24th episode: “Piña is the prototype for my video series. She’s a classic example of the innovative islanders. With her new ideas, she builds bridges between locals and visitors.”