jerez travel book

22 Friday Sep 2023

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jerez travel book

My friend Anne is one of the most thoughtful gift givers I know. Not only because she thinks about giving people gifts (which she loves to do) but she also thinks it through and somehow, at least with me, always gets it right. And trust me, I’m not the easiest person to give things to, simply because I think my tastes are difficult to pinpoint. So normally when someone surprises me with a gift I wince a bit inwardly knowing that I’ll smile and say it’s lovely (and I’ll mean it because the thought is always lovely) while also knowing I will never use, wear, read whatever it is.

But not with Anne. So when she surprised me with this fabulous book last week at the Lustau Cata Magistral I had a look, saw it was signed by both the author and illustrator, and thanked her so much, knowing I was going to love it even though I didn’t really know what I was looking at.

Later when I got home I had a better look at this beautiful love letter to Jerez.  Journalist María José Solano and artist Miki Leal bring Jerez to life on these delightful pages and I can’t wait to read it.

Thanks again, Anne! Though I’m still a bit miffed you got me hooked on those azahar oil stick diffusers a few years ago THAT ARE NOW DISCONTINUED. 😘

sixto & rosa

21 Thursday Sep 2023

Posted by in friends, gastronomy, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars

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sixto rosa

Tonight I was invited to a special event honouring Sixto Tovar and Rosa Borja who, some 35 years ago, embarked on a culinary adventure and created Eslava, a pioneer of modern takes on traditional tapas (EVERY gastrobar here owes them homage) that became one of Sevilla’s most iconic tapas bars. Earlier this year Sixto and Rosa made the difficult decision to retire (from the restaurant, they remain active in other projects) and handed the reins to a local group who have sworn to remain true to the Eslava philosopy and, more importantly, to not change the recipes.

The event was lovely and I felt honoured to be invited (not sure but I think I was the only non-Spaniard). I’ve known Sixto forever and I can honestly say I have seldom met a kinder more genuine person. Wishing Sixto and Rosa all the best in their next chapter and I really hope we will continue to cross paths.

cata magistral lustau

20 Wednesday Sep 2023

Posted by in andalucia, getaways, sherry

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lustau cata magistral

My trip to Jerez last weekend started off with a sherry Cata Magistral on Friday in the patio of the splendid Alcázar, hosted by Bodegas Lustau and presented by Lustau’s master winemaker Sergio Martínez and Carman Aumesquat from the Sherry Council. It was a bit touch and go because rain had been previously forecast but in the end we were able to sit outside in this spectacular setting and enjoy a selection of Lustau wines paired with delicious bites accompanied by a flamenco guitarist. A magical evening.

reyes & javi

19 Tuesday Sep 2023

Posted by in anniversary, friends, restaurants, sevilla, sherry, tapas

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javi reyes me me, Reyes & Javi

As this is ANNIVERSARY MONTH Reyes Morales (tapas bar royalty, owner of Casa Morales) and I went out to celebrate me being here all this time and the two of us being friends. Any meet up with me and Reyes inevitably begins with visiting our friend Manolo “Cateca” and asking him which sherry we want to drink, so we did that, and Manolo never disappoints.

reyes javi (1)

Lunch was… well just have a look. I’ve known Javi Abascal (chef and owner of Lalola Restaurante) since he started his first place back in I don’t remember when in Los Remedios and he is just one of the loveliest people. He also knows how to cook!

reyes javi (2)

While Reyes and I could have enjoyed La Penúltima at Lalola we decided a little post-lunch walk was in order. Eventually we made our way to the Plaza Magdalena near my house and the new posh hotel in that square. And look what they had! Gorgeous Brut Tortelló DO Corpinnat. We sat outside enjoying the early evening air and still talking-talking-talking until we finally decided it was probably time to go home! So yeah, got home from lunch around 8pm. I think that’s a record for us, though all my lunches with Reyes end up being experiences neither of us want to end. I am really so lucky to know so many amazing people here.

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welcome to the academy!

18 Monday Sep 2023

Posted by in academia sevillana gastronomy turismo, gastronomy, sevilla

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academy lunch (1)

Last week the Academia Sevillana de Gastronomía y Turismo held its “back to school” first event of the new season after summer holidays. Which was also the first one for me as a new member! This took place at the Escuela de Hostelería de Sevilla just over the river in La Cartuja. Only 15 of our 40 members were able to attend (turns out this is typical due to various work commitments) but we had a great time, and of course all three newbies turned up.

Everything was arranged by Iñaki Echeveste, the director of the school, and first we had a tour of their new avocado Avolution Lab where we found out how regional avocados were being produced and used for, well, pretty much anything you can think of, from oils to beauty products. We sampled a few avocado treats from sauces to breads and it was all delicious. What a great initiative, using up every bit of the fruit from skin to stone (as well as the delicious stuff in between).

academy lunch (2)

Then it was time for lunch, which was prepared and served by the hospitality school students. And as you can see, it was impressive to say the least. We enjoyed a welcome vermouth cocktail, followed by Sevilla orange gazpacho, then grilled seabass with espinacas con garbanzos, and solomillo Ibérico with tomato sauce and crispy potatoes topped with a fried quail egg, all accompanied by two regional wines. And then desserts (plural). Really needed that walk back over the river afterwards. Looking forward to future Academy events.