19 Friday Aug 2016
Posted in sevilla, tapas, tapas bars, tapas tours, we love tapas, work
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Chef Óscar here at Casa Morales has no idea what the barmen have written on the specials board. Do you? The past couple of days I’ve been checking in at my usual “tapas tour bars”, saying hi to everyone, you know, just staying connected. And today this happened. Cracked me up…
Love my life here, love everyone I work with, and I especially love that we are actually friends (and in some cases “family”). Best job in the world. 🙂
30 Saturday Jul 2016
Posted in food & drink, friends, sevilla, sherry, tapas, tapas tours, twitter
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I continue to meet wonderful people thanks to Twitter. This time it was Rome-based food goddess Katie Parla. On Friday morning I was doing my usual social media stuff and attempting to catch up with my massive To Do list of reviews, photos and blog posts before the big #LondonGetaway next week, and up popped a Twitter notice from @jengonroff suggesting that @katieparla get in touch with me. I’d heard of Katie and was keen to help out, thinking she might be coming to Sevilla soon. Turned out she was in Sevilla in that exact moment and was STARVING, so we made plans to meet up later in the evening. What followed was a fun (and sherry-filled) impromptu Sevilla Tapas Tour...
I immediately felt at home with Katie and was pleased to discover we share a similar philosophy when it comes to our food & wine tours (Katie also offers Art History & Archeology tours in Rome), which is to keep it simple and real. We’ve both noticed the recent influx of food tour opportunists showing up where we have lived and loved and worked for so long. It’s sad to see these people ruining what we have helped to build with them scheduling regular touristy-scripted tours that clog up and destroy the natural ambiance of the places we love. Progress? I don’t think so.
But we had a great time, starting off with sherry and jamón at Las Teresas, then moving on for some fusiony-fun at La Azotea in barrio Santa Cruz (with unexpected guest appearance by Ania – see silly selfie). Then a quick stop at Casa Morales – Katie had to see the tinajas! – before finishing up at Bodeguita Romero. And finish up we did, closing the joint sometime just before 1.00 am! Loved watching Katie experience her first pringá, and we were totally spoiled by Alejandro, offering special sherry pairings. Pretty much a perfect night out.
It’s always such a pleasure to meed kindred spirits like Katie and I look forward to visiting her in Rome soon.
23 Saturday Jul 2016
Posted in sevilla, spain, tapas, tapas tours, we love tapas, wine, work
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employment, spain, tapas, tapas tours, tours, we love tapas, work
Become a part of the We Love Tapas Team!
These past couple of “weeks off” have been both relaxing and very productive. Lots of time for new ideas and research with some exciting new stuff coming up soon. As a result, We Love Tapas is now looking for enthusiastic local guides with food and wine experience for our team in Sevilla. After full training, guides will give both lunchtime and evening tours (number per week depending on the season), each lasting 2.5 to 4 hours, and will be expected to attend monthly staff meetings and periodic (delicious) training sessions.
Requirements:
You will also need to have access to internet at home, and a smartphone, so that you can be kept up to date about your tour bookings, changes and other information.
For more information contact us at:
welovetapas@gmail.com
17 Sunday Jul 2016
Posted in cancer, friends, hope, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars, tapas tours, video
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Not exactly a song this Sunday, though we do have music in this video thanks to my fabulous friend Juan Tarquini (who put the whole thing together for me). Four years ago today my dear friend Pat Steer died. I met her on a cancer forum back in 2008 after we’d both been diagnosed with stage 4 variations of colon/rectal/liver, etc. And she became not just a friend but my sister and my hero, the no-nonsense voice of reason, the one I knew would never bullshit me, the one who loved me too.
Just before Pat died she expressed sadness in her final blog post about (amongst other things) not having ever been able to come on one of my tapas tours, so I obliged by going all around town to some of my favourite places and (badly) filming a typical tapeo with her included.
Juan did his best with the mess of clips I left with him, and Pat said it took her at least four times to get through it, because she kept breaking down in tears. But finally she watched it all and loved it. And I still love her and always will. Four years ago today I lost her, and I still miss her so very much. Strong thoughts, my darling. xx
01 Friday Jul 2016
Posted in food & drink, homecooking, sevilla, tapas, tapas tours
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Hello July! The temps are soaring (well, kind of, still hasn’t reached mid-40s here) and eating habits also swap over to light summer-style eating. On my tapas tours people often ask what the “Queen of Tapas” eats at home. Or if I ever eat at home! Of course I do eat at home more than I eat out and, despite my appearance, I’m not actually a big eater. But I do go for the Spanish habit of making lunch my main meal of the day. Typically in summer it will be something fresh, like this arrugula, tomato and feta salad. In winter lunches tend to be a bit heartier, with stews and other dishes, which you can find on Azahar’s Kitchen. But my favourite dinner at home, any time of year, usually around 9.00 pm, is simply hot buttered toast. Comfort food.
What’s your favourite comfort food?
casa azahar 