Posts Tagged ‘Spain’

Top Australian Spanish Chef Showcases Spanish Cuisine In Shanghai

Wednesday, 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.

The latest Oiltourism

Wednesday, 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!

International Food Festival

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Have you noticed the food invasion in Sydney’s streets this month? October food month brings a lot of activities to us food lovers, and I have been thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Last week I was in Hyde Park and I saw a delicious version of the Spanish flag’s red and yellow stripes. It was really awesome that they used two Spanish emblems for it, the chorizo for the red stripes and the Spanish tortilla for the middle yellow stripe. For this famous Spanish dish you only need eggs, potato and Spanish olive oil, and it’s a star of every party.
b

Also making a splash during food month was Spanish chef Sergi Arola. A disciple of Ferran Adria, this chef now has a two Michelin star restaurant in Madrid. He started his professional life in a very different environment – he was a rock star. I guess he must always have wanted to visit Australia because his band was called the Kangaroos. During his stay in Sydney, Arola took part in various activities, such as his two talks he imparted during the World segment of the World Chef Showcase MCed by Matt Preston and his master class at the Bently with chef Brent Savage. This very cool chef is the new face of Spanish gastronomy and it was great to see him participate in the October Good Food month.

sergi arola

All the different tastes and dishes that were on display this month, made me wonder if I could choose one Spanish dish as my favourite. If I had to do it, I would choose Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Prawns) or a delicious tapa of marinated Spanish olives with a glass nice Spanish wine.

What about you?

Delicious trip to Spain

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

I like to buy my newspaper before I catch the train in the morning, but today I couldn’t resist adding the new Gourmet Traveller to that… the whole issue is dedicated to Spain and I was sure I’d find lots of interesting information about food and travel.GT

As I flipped through the magazine before my train arrived, my eyes got stuck on a recipe for one of my favourite dishes – Churros! For those of you who haven’t yet tried this dessert I can tell you it’s to die for, and seems very easy to make. They are a gourmet Spanish version of a Donut and you can’t go to Spain without trying them with the usual hot chocolate to dip them into. And it must be healthy because it’s made with olive oil!

churros 2

Carnivore that I am, I was loving the article about “jamónturismo” aka “ham tourism”. Imagine that, only Spain can make ham so good, people will travel just for a taste. I’m definitely doing that next time I go over there.

JAMON

Olive trees take the streets

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

It wasn’t just spring that arrived to Australia on the 1st of September. Flowers were blooming, birds were singing, hearts were beating faster and some funky and colourful Spanish ads spread all over Sydney and Melbourne. You just couldn’t help but look at them!!!

I was at the bus stop on my way to the office when I suddenly discovered that the usual boring banking ad wasn’t there anymore. Instead I found this:

Bus Stop

A drop of olive oil, a beautiful olive tree, a typical Spanish table… I could spot them everywhere!!

On my way back home after work I thought it would be nice to have some olives and a glass of wine before dinner, so I went to the supermarket and tried to find this new brand of olives. But I couldn’t find it on any shelf. It turns out that the promotion wasn’t for any one brand but for all the olives and olive oil produced in Spain.

Next time I was at the supermarket, I bought a can of Spanish olives and they were really yummy. Since then I always check the label to make sure that it has the “Product of Spain” logo on it.

Now the only thing that I‘m not sure about is which of the ads is my favourite…

What do you think?

DropTree

Table