July 14th, 2010

MoVida’s Frank Camorra takes part in New Gastronomy Fiesta Program at Shanghai Expo

It’s no secret Australia claims Spanish born Frank Camorra as not only one of our own but also as one of the best chefs in the country, but those in Shanghai visiting the Shanghai Expo were able to see Camorra in action and understand why Australians holds Camorra in such high regard.

In Shanghai from 28 June – 4 July, Camorra paired with Josechu Corella of Bal d’Onsera, as part of the New Gastronomy Fiesta Program.

The pair created a menu inspired by the 1980’s countercultural movement known as Movida, also the name of Camorra’s restaurant. Offering a tribute to film director Pedro Almodovar with a seafood cocktail with bean gazpacho, named ‘‘Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown’’, the pair also showcased a dish Camorra fans will know well; his anchovy with smoked tomato sorbet.

This won’t be the last of Camorra’s international appearances this year as Frank will be sharing his passion for Spain when he hosts a gastronomic tour of Spain in October this year. Just ten guests will experience the journey of a lifetime as Camorra brings his most recent cookbook, MoVida Rustica to life. He will show guests behind the scenes of Spanish produce markets, introduce them to producers of Spain’s finest ingredients and restaurants, and show guests how to prepare some of his signature dishes.

For those who aren’t able to take the tour, you can still sample some of Spain’s most famous produce, olives and oil, at Sydney’s Good Food & Wine Show. Hosted from 16-18 July 2010 at the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, guests at the event can visit the Olives & Olive Oil from Spain stand to sample a delicious variety of Spanish olives and oil.

March 31st, 2010

Over the past few years, culinary tourism has become a trendy option when going on holidays, and not only for gastronomy experts and professionals. A great example of this are all the wine routes that are considered an absolute must visit in some regions, becoming even tourist destinations themselves. 

There’s plenty out there about wine and food, I thought it could be cool to give something new a try, it’s different, original, and fast becoming the thing to do… Oiltourism!!!! I’ve been checking it out and it is actually quite interesting…

In Spain, the largest producer of olive oil, there are plenty of olive oil routes, places to visit and go for olive oil tasting, with the added bonus that you can find them in a variety of regions all over Spain such as: Jaen, Córdoba, Seville, Toledo, Aragon, Catalonia, or Mallorca Island.

Oiltourism usually involves staying at traditional accommodation, visiting olive fields, going in an Almazara (the olive oil making mill) and going for tastings. It’s interesting too because it doesn’t only centre on the process involved with making extra virgin olive oil, Oiltourism also explores antique techniques and tools, day trips, cooking classes, and other activities.

Furthermore, the regions in Spain where olive oil routes are located usually have an abundant offer of ethnographic museums, stunning artistic and historical heritage spots…

















You can find some interesting information about that in the following website: http://www.spain.info/reportajes/aceites_con_denominacion_de_origen_la_calidad_garantizada.html?l=en , so next time you visit Spain, make sure you take the opportunity to enjoy this fascinating combination of olive landscapes, culture, gastronomy and entertainment!

January 27th, 2010

Happy New Year, unconditional readers. I am really happy to start this year sharing with you my latest discovery!
Recently, in an attempt to find some worldwide TV show which had dealt with Spain and its gastronomy, I found an American program featuring the Oscar-winning actress, Gwyneth Paltrow, and the famous chef, Mario Batali, which only featured Spain!! The name is Spain… on the road again, and it is not only a cooking show but also a really entertaining road trip, where we learn about Spanish cuisine, Spanish cities and towns, history, art, and how to cook dishes from different regions using Spanish ingredients: vegetables, seafood, the best olive oil, etc.

 

I was really surprised and pleased to find that Gwyneth has turned out to be a real Spanish lover! She even considers Spain as her “second home”. Paltrow is a vegetarian and traditionally macrobiotic diet follower, but she embraced and enjoyed Spanish food in every single  episode. She leaves apart delicious treats like the jamon and the chorizo, among other mouth-watering Spanish dishes, but she enjoys vegetables, olives, and traditional dishes cooked with plenty of olive oil, such as churros and the Spanish tortilla! 

 The TV Show has become such a success that they have also published a book called, Spain…A Culinary Road Trip. You can get it and keep for good the 70 recipes, loads of awesome photos and all their trip anecdotes.

 And, if you are like me who has missed the show on TV, you still can watch it on YouTube, and see what the show is all about to decide whether to keep your TV guide on mark for the next show. I’ll pass you also the office link where you can check the episodes: http://www.spainontheroadagain.com/episode_guide.shtml

 Hope you find this program as interesting as I did.  I’ve really enjoyed the mixture of culture, landscapes, and over all  knowing more about the Spanish regions and their eclectic gastronomy !!

December 17th, 2009

Last week I told you all about the new MoVida restaurant in Melbourne, so I thought, maybe it’s time to explore Sydney’s Spanish restaurants too! I’m going to share some of the places I’ve enjoyed around here as I’m sure you’d love them too.

One of the most popular restaurants in Sydney is The Bentley (www.thebentley.com.au), in Surry Hills. It’s known for its great wine list and innovating cuisine. They modernise traditional Spanish dishes, so you can find “the tres gazpachos” with the traditional ingredients such as tomato, onion, cucumber, Spanish olive oil… but also some improvising with new tastes such as basil or red pepper.

spanishtour
Then there’s also the Ash Street Cellar, Merivale Group’s ‘spanish project’. They are one of the largest hospitality companies in Sydney and with the Ash Street Cellar, they’ve recreated a Spanish atmosphere, with outdoor eating and great wine selection that always comes accompanies by small portions of jamón or Spanish olives.




Sydney CBD’s Postales Restaurant, offers much elaborated Spanish dishes, such as rabo de toro (oxtail), hare meatballs and Jamón de Bellota with pepper. For some style and chic decoration as well as its elegant cuisine we can also choose Cru 54 in Surry Hills (www.cru54.com.au).

If you are after some typical Spanish tapas we have a few options to choose from; there’s Kika Tapas Bar (www.kika.com.au) in Darlinghurst’s Victoria Street. This place gives you the opportunity to try a good glass of Spanish wine with Spanish olives or croquetas, for more than a fair price. In the north of Sydney’s bay, in Kirribilli, we can find another gorgeous place, Catalonia (www.catalonia.com.au), which bases its offer in the tapas culture and Mediterranean flavours. And for more sophisticated tapas we can find the Bodegas Tapas Bar, also located in Surry Hills, its beautifully modernized decoration of Spanish icons will surprise and delight.

There are many more places to try, but I’ll save those for another post. For now, start trying these, I’m sure you’ll love them. Whether you need to impress someone on a date or just enjoy a good meal next time you’re out make sure you give some of these Spanish places a go!

November 27th, 2009

This week, I’m really glad to write about the recent and exciting new opening in Melbourne …the MoVida Aqui !!
For those of you who haven’t heard yet about MoVida, it’s been the most popular Spanish restaurant in Melbourne so far. In fact, and quoting the Australian Gourmet Traveller review, it is the best Spanish restaurant in the country! That’s why this new opening is such good news!

MOvida

This bar de tapas is owned by the acclaimed chef Frank Camorra. After an inspiring trip to his homeland, Spain, Frank decided to open a restaurant back in Australia. MoVida’s name comes from the art and film movement that grew in Spain during the 80s, and his aim was to capture all that innovation and invigorating energy and bring it to his dishes.

I couldn’t wait to check the menu so I looked it online, and definitely it looks quite fun and creative.
Some of the samples included Marinated Green Olives with Citrus, Garlic and Thyme and Chorizo baked in a Fino and Olive Oil to Oysters served with Manzanilla and Watermelon dressing.

Movida2

MoVida Aqui is even larger than the two original restaurants, MoVida and MoVida Next Door. And now we can also enjoy The MoVida Terrace, which I’m sure, will become one of the best and trendiest places this summer for a get-together with friends.
Don’t miss out!