Exploring Traditional Barcelona Food Culture and Local Cuisine

When Culinary Creativity Meets Artificial Intelligence

This year marks the launch of the 4th Annual GAB LAB AI Art Competition, an internal creative challenge that pushes our team beyond the kitchen and into the world of digital artistry, storytelling, and innovation. More than just a contest, this initiative celebrates the spirit of GAB LAB itself — where food, culture, technology, and creativity collide to create unforgettable experiences.

From futuristic gastronomy concepts to abstract interpretations of connection and community, this competition invites our team members to reimagine what food-inspired art can become through the power of AI.

And the best part?The winning artwork may eventually live on the walls of GAB LAB itself.

The Intersection of Food, Art, and AI

Artificial intelligence is changing every creative industry — from music and design to photography and storytelling. At GAB LAB, we believe gastronomy belongs in that conversation too.

Food has always been emotional. It tells stories, preserves culture, creates memories, and brings people together. AI opens a completely new creative dimension for expressing those ideas visually.

This competition was created to explore questions like:

• What does the future of gastronomy look like?

• How can AI reinterpret culinary culture?

• What happens when human creativity collaborates with machine intelligence?

• Can digital art capture the energy of shared dining experiences?

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The result is an opportunity for our team to experiment boldly, think visually, and create artwork that reflects the identity and values of GAB LAB.

The Creative Challenge

The competition brief encourages participants to explore a wide range of visual directions while staying rooted in the essence of GAB LAB.

Possible themes include:

• Culinary-inspired art

• Paella and tapas reinterpretations

• Futuristic gastronomy laboratories

• AI-powered kitchen aesthetics

• Abstract visual storytelling

• Human connection through food and culture

• Experimental textures, ingredients, and emotion

The only rule?

Every piece must reflect the core values of GAB LAB:

Creativity, Authenticity, Community

All artwork must also remain appropriate for public display and align with the welcoming, inclusive environment we strive to create every day.

Public Voting: The Community Decides

One of the most exciting parts of this year’s competition is the voting process.

Rather than selecting winners internally, the artwork will be judged by the people who experience GAB LAB firsthand:

Voting Includes:

• In-house guest voting during the experience

• Public online voting through social media

  
  

This approach transforms the competition into something larger than an internal challenge. It becomes a shared creative experience between our team, our guests, and our wider community.

The winning entries will be the designs that leave the strongest emotional and visual impact.

CAST YOUR VOTE HERE

Competition Timeline

06 MAY

• Submission Deadline

All entries must be submitted before midnight.

11 MAY – 25 MAY

• Inclass and Online Voting

The community votes for their favorite pieces.

26 MAY

• Winners Announced

The final results will reveal which teams created the most impactful visual experiences.

Why This Competition Matters

At its core, this competition represents something much bigger than prizes or rankings.

It reflects the culture of experimentation and creativity that defines GAB LAB.

We believe innovation doesn’t only happen in recipes, menus, or technology systems. It also happens in ideas, storytelling, design, and collaboration.

By combining AI with artistic expression, our team is exploring new ways to communicate identity, emotion, and culture through visuals.

This initiative also highlights an important reality of modern creativity:

AI is not replacing human imagination.It is expanding it.

The most compelling pieces will not simply be technically impressive. They will be the artworks that feel human, authentic, emotional, and connected to the spirit of GAB LAB.

Terms & Conditions Highlights

To ensure fairness and originality, all participating teams must follow the official competition guidelines.

Key Rules Include:

• All submissions must be original AI-generated work

• No reuse of previous artwork

• GAB LAB retains rights to display and use submitted artwork

• Late submissions may not be accepted

• Any attempt to manipulate voting may result in disqualification

• Designs must avoid offensive or copyrighted material

The competition is designed to celebrate creativity while maintaining integrity and professionalism throughout the process.

The Future of Creative Hospitality

Hospitality is evolving rapidly.

• Restaurants and experience-driven brands are no longer just places to eat — they are becoming immersive creative environments where design, storytelling, art, and technology all play a role in shaping the guest experience.

The GAB LAB AI Art Competition reflects that future.

• By inviting our team members to become creators beyond their daily roles, we continue building a culture where innovation is encouraged, ideas are celebrated, and creativity has no limits.

This is more than an art competition. It is a glimpse into the future of experiential gastronomy.

Follow the Competition

Over the coming weeks, selected designs, behind-the-scenes content, and finalist showcases will be shared across our social channels and inside GAB LAB.

We invite our guests, community, and supporters to participate in the voting process and help decide which artworks deserve to become part of GAB LAB history.

Because at GAB LAB, creativity isn’t just something we serve.

It’s something we live.

FAQ

What is the GAB LAB AI Art Competition?

The GAB LAB AI Art Competition is an annual creative challenge where team members create original AI-generated artwork inspired by food, culture, and innovation.

Who can participate?

Participation is currently limited to assigned internal GAB LAB teams.

What kind of artwork can be submitted?

Teams may create culinary-inspired visuals, futuristic gastronomy concepts, abstract storytelling pieces, or other brand-aligned AI artwork.

How are winners selected?

Winners are determined through combined public voting from in-house guests and online community engagement.

Can one team win multiple prizes?

Yes. A single team may occupy multiple winning positions if several of their artworks receive enough votes.

Will the artwork be displayed publicly?

Yes. Selected pieces may be showcased inside GAB LAB and used across marketing and social media channels.

CAST YOUR VOTE HERE

GAB LAB AI Art Competition Public Voting Terms & Conditions

By participating in the public voting process for the GAB LAB AI Art Competition, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. Voting Eligibility

Voting is open to the public. Participants must provide accurate information when submitting their vote.

2. One Vote Policy

Only one valid submission per person may be counted. Duplicate, fraudulent, or automated votes may be removed at the discretion of GAB LAB.

3. Fair Voting

Any attempt to manipulate voting results, including the use of fake accounts, bots, or coordinated fraudulent activity, may result in the removal of votes or disqualification of entries.

4. Prize Draw Participation

By submitting a vote, participants may be entered into an optional prize draw. Winners will be selected randomly and contacted using the information provided.

5. Data Usage & Privacy

Personal information collected during voting will only be used for:

• Competition administration

• Contacting prize winners

• Internal analytics and event feedback

GAB LAB will not sell or distribute personal information to third parties.

6. Intellectual Property

All artwork submitted remains the property of GAB LAB and/or the participating creators. Artwork may not be copied, reproduced, or redistributed without permission.

7. Content Disclaimer

The views and artistic interpretations expressed in the competition entries are those of the participating teams and do not necessarily represent the official views of GAB LAB.

8. Modification & Cancellation

GAB LAB reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the competition or voting process if necessary due to unforeseen circumstances.

9. Final Decision

All voting results and prize decisions made by GAB LAB are final.

10. Acceptance of Terms

By participating in the vote, you confirm that you have read and accepted these Terms & Conditions.

GAB LAB — Gastronomic Arts Barcelona Where food, culture, creativity, and community come together.