Season Opener in Cala Major: Il Paradiso Fills the Terrace with Celebrities and Sea Breeze

Season Opener in Cala Major: Il Paradiso Fills the Terrace with Celebrities and Sea Breeze

An evening of Italian food, familiar faces and the scent of salt in the hair

On Saturday evening a local venue in Cala Major made a clear statement: about 250 guests filled the terrace of Il Paradiso when host Peter Axelsson invited people to the season opening. Between glasses of Prosecco, small Italian bites and tiramisu, conversations took center stage, complemented by long drinks and the gentle rustle of the bay.

The guest list read as both international and local. Composer Kristina Bach, who said she had traveled especially from Dubai, was present, as was the German consul Wolfgang Engstler, who has announced his departure from the island for summer 2026 and attended the evening with his wife. Actor Martin Semmelrogge and his wife were among the guests, as were well-known island figures such as Jörg Dahlmann, Britt and Alex Jolig, Claudelle Deckert with her husband Peter Olsson, real estate agent Marlon Keller – accompanied by his poodle Coco – as well as a number of personalities from the art and scene world.

Anyone walking along the road toward Cala Major on a mild March evening could hear the clinking of glasses, occasional laughter and the scraping of chairs on the terrace floor. Between conversations, familiar Mallorca sounds kept surfacing: the occasional motorboat noise from the bay, the squeak of a wheeled suitcase from a neighboring table, and from time to time the beep of a taxi call in the distance. Despite the fresh air the atmosphere remained warm and exuberant; the celebration continued until about one in the morning.

Evenings like this show how much the gastronomic scene on Majorca lives year-round, as seen during the VIP Pre-Christmas in Santa Ponsa. Il Paradiso provided a distinctive setting with a sea view, harmonious interior and a small but well-kept selection of dishes in which celebrities and islanders alike felt comfortable. For the hosts this means visibility, bookings in the low season and a signal to suppliers, staff and other businesses that the industry is picking up again.

For the island community such an event has a double effect. On the one hand it brings attention and guests to a neighborhood appreciated by both locals and visitors, and sometimes even sparks larger restaurant stories such as a €63,237.90 bill in Palmanova. On the other hand it demonstrates how encounters between different groups – artists, entrepreneurs, residents and international guests – can work without burdening the neighborhood. Dogs also had their place: the small poodle at Marlon Keller's side relaxed under the table while people photographed and chatted.

A small everyday observation: those who like to sit outside on evenings like this should remember a light jacket. Even if the sun was warm in the afternoon, the wind from the bay brings cool air that becomes noticeable after sunset. Yet it is precisely this mix of sea breeze and illuminated terrace that creates the charm.

What remains as a prospect? Such season openings are more than celebrity sightings; they are promotion for artisanal gastronomy on the island, for jobs and for cultural togetherness, including services like Metus Gourmet's private chef service in Capdepera. If you're curious now: a visit on a quieter weekday is worthwhile, especially if you want to relax and let your gaze wander over the bay of Cala Major. And if you live nearby: a bit of support for the neighborhood — a table for dinner — helps local businesses through the transition to high season.

In the end it was an evening that stayed in the memory: good food, familiar and new faces, the sea as a backdrop – and a little feeling that Majorca is getting ready for a new season once again.