• Home
  • U.S. Destinations
    • Midwest
    • Northeast
    • Northwest
    • Southeast
    • Southwest
    • Coastal
  • International Destinations
    • Africa/Middle East
    • Antarctica/Arctic
    • Asia
    • Canada
    • Europe
    • Mexico/Central America/Carribean
    • Oceania
    • South America
  • Food & Drink
    • For the Home
    • On The Town
    • At the Bar
    • Recipes
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Getting There
    • Staying There
    • Travel Tips
    • Travel Gear & Gifts
    • People Stories
    • Focus on Photos
  • About
    • Our Site
    • Contributors
    • Write To Us
    • Write For Us
    • Work With Us
    • Disclosure
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy
Confetti Travel Cafe
Celebrate travel, culture, connection
Meet The Chef: Spain’s Chef Albert Adrià Visits Portland
Europe, Food & Drink, Food And Drink, International Destinations, Northwest, On The Town, U.S. Destinations 2

Meet The Chef: Spain’s Chef Albert Adrià Visits Portland

By Nancy Zaffaro · On January 28, 2019


Foodies from Portland, Oregon were treated recently to an evening of live cooking demonstration and lecture by four-time Michelin winning chef, Spain’s Chef Albert Adrià. The MeetheChef evening also included art, live music, film, and a food walkabout.

These days, we food aficionados can get our gastronomic fix by enjoying fabulous meals out just about anywhere, and learn about food and cooking in a myriad of ways. Gastronomes and amateur chefs can take cooking classes, shop their hearts out (and ring up their credit cards) buying cookware and gadgets. We can attend chef dinners, wine dinners, sit at the chef’s tables, take food walking tours, attend food and beverage festivals, conventions. We’re able to binge on cooking shows, competitions and shows about celebrity chefs. We can learn from friends and family and from magazines, books, and ogling and chatting on social media. (The Instagram hashtag #foodporn has been used in 185,000,000+ posts as of this writing.) You name it, it’s out there.

Chef Albert Adrià meet the check

Chef Albert Adrià

The event, a chance to “meet the chef,” is a welcome addition to the food scene.

To Set the Scene and Whet the Appetite

Held at Catlin Gable School, tickets to the event included a social hour where local chefs, purveyors and importers shared appetizers, beverages and food products to highlight Spanish ingredients and Spanish-inspired dishes.

Chef and owner of Portland’s Ataula, Jose Chesa, was on hand; Chesa also hosted a ticketed dinner during Adria’s visit. Javier Cantera, chef and owner of Urdaneta, and chefs from Portland hotspots including Bar Casa Vale, Bar Vivant, Tournant’s Oyster Social, Magna Kusina, and Perlot also shared delicacies.

Ibérico ham Master Carver, Manuel Antonio Recio, carved from a leg of the savory, melt-in-your-mouth jamón.

Iberico ham Master Carver, Manuel Antonio Recio (Photo Nancy Zaffaro)

Importers of Mediterranean products, Culinary Collective, provided an olive oil tasting and tapas, including one of piparra peppers, fresh anchovies and green olives.

Culinary Collective brought tapas and some of their imported products. (Photo Nancy Zafffaro)

PixPatisserie’s Cheryl Wakerhauser, Yen for Chocolate’s Christina Yen, and J. Molina’s Pastry Chef Luis Moyana Molina brought dessert.

   

Sips of cava, wine, sherry and sangria amped up the festivities, and Christina Yen brought some of her luscious artisan chocolates, and coffee flowed from Water Avenue Coffee Company.

The Spanish Penchant for Food, Parties, Talk and Friends

Chef Albert Adrià got his culinary start at 15-year-old, joining his brother Ferran at elBulli. With time, Albert Adrià became one of the Spain’s most renowned pastry chefs.  Adrià’s interests moved to molecular cuisine where he became a top innovator. elBulli won international kudos, including being rated the top restaurant in the world.

Chef Adrià’s portfolio now includes Barcelona’s elBarri, an “amusement park” of dining that includes six different conceptual restaurants, as well as his own stand-alone restaurants, Heart, Cakes and Bubbles and Little Spain. Another, Heart, will open in May of 2019.

Tania Cidoncha with Chef Albert Adrià (Photo Nancy Zaffaro)

MeetheChef is the brainchild of Tania Cidoncha. A native of Spain, Cidoncha has been in part of Portland’s gastronomic community throughout the eight years she’s lived in in the city. Her company, Tankroom, organizes events that share Spain’s vibrant food and culture with Portland and supports what’s become an active community of Spanish chefs and other Spanish expats in the city.

Cidoncha said, “We Spaniards like our food. We like to party, we like to talk, and we love our friends.”

And with that, she introduced Chef Albert Adrià.

Tania Cidoncha with Chef Albert Adrià (Photo Nancy Zaffaro)

Food is Art, Music, Story Telling, Community

The evening was very much food-centric theater; food and entertaining is theater, after all. There was Spanish music and a film.

Stage Right, while Chef Adrià cooked and talked at his podium-kitchen, esteemed Spanish painter Pepe Carretero stood at his easel and worked on a painting inspired by his Portland visit.

Spanish Artst Pepe Carretero (Photo Nancy Zaffaro)

Two cameramen parlayed from Chef to Carretero and projected it all on the screen above. An interpreter was on hand Stage Left to translate when Chef Adrià used Spanish rather than English to best communicate what he wanted to share. The result was a fast-moving, jovial evening.

MeetheChef, Chef Albert Adrià

Chef Adrià’s onstage presence is at once personal, relatable, professional and humorous. Confident, but without swagger. No dry treatise on gastronomic philosophy here.

When talking about his restaurants, he spoke of how his menus revolve around available ingredients. Throughout, he advised to keep it simple, use fresh ingredients, truly know your ingredients, experiment, and, “Taste, taste, taste.”  Adrià carried us through a host of recipes, each serving to make these points.

Chef Adrià spoke of using the whole animal; including octupus head.

“Let’s Get Cooking”

Adrià began with a simple, correctly cooked shrimp on a bed of salt.

A rolled nori dish can be difficult or easy, but attention to detail can make all the difference.

With oysters escabeche, he poured oil over drained oysters, using “rapid cooking” that created a dish where the oyster is, “cooked but not.” Onion, carrots, garlic, salt, pepper, and a touch of vinegar completed the dish.

Making oysters escabeche (Photo Nancy Zaffaro)

Shelled sea urchin “tongues” may not be a staple in your refrigerator, but with the increased availability of good prepared products out there, a home cook’s repertoire can grow. He made a guacamole with avocado, coriander, tomatillo, pepper, olive oil and lime zest. A sauce of mashed sea urchins followed. The dishes, plated and topped with sea urchin truly is something the home cook could accomplish, if they want to up their game with a true Spanish treat.

To make a zucchini consommé, Adrià grilled and squeezed out the juice of the zucchini. He grilled the zucchini at a very high heat, for a short amount of time.  “It’s important to understand,” Adrià said, “you can’t treat every product the same.” The dish used orange juice as well, which led to a discussion of the many types of oranges world-wide and how very different they are. Again, understanding your ingredients is key. “A mistake we also make is not using our nose.”

The mashed sea urchin made another appearance in a Wagyu beef dish. Catalonia, Adrià said, often combines meat and seafood in a dish.

“How do I know sea urchin is a good combination for the beef? Because I have this information in my brain about the ingredients, the flavors. With experience, I learn that I can use fermented beets instead of salt, for example. Technique alone is not cooking. It’s taste. Experience.”

Wagyu beef and sea urchin

Finally, a beautifully cut mango creates the perfect dessert. Again, simple ingredients, knowing the product, attention to detail.

Making It Personal

I sat listening to Adrià in the darkened theater and couldn’t help but consider my own development as a cook. I’ve always like to eat and come from a family of a good cooks and good party hosts. I started cooking when I landed in my own apartment at 18 and (bravely or stupidly) started hosting dinner parties soon thereafter. Once I had children, there were a lot of 20-minute meals, but my kids grew up well-versed in international ingredients and cuisines and foods from the garden. Habits changed again as time grew shorter once again once both kids were out of the house.

I still entertain and have the kids over, but today, I’m back to cooking primarily for myself. Sitting in that darkened theater focusing on Chef Adrià allowed me to consider what I want to explore next in dining, cooking and in entertaining.

I took these words from Chef Adrià to heart: “Go home and reflect on what we did. Create. Ask questions. The worse thing is to be indifferent.”

Some of the Portland chefs who prepared tapas for the Meet the Chef event (Photo Nancy Zaffaro)

Craving More from MeetheChef

The event was obviously something the foodie town of Portland craves. Look for more meethechef.com events soon. And plan a trip to Spain and a visit to one of Chef Albert Adrià’s restaurants in Barcelona, and beyond.

¡Salud y buen provecho!

Albert Adria Nancy Zaffaro

Chef Albert Adrià and Nancy Zaffaro

For More:

  • Meethechef, https://www.meethechef.com/
  • Tankroom, https://www.tancidoncha.com/
  • elBarri Restaurant Group, https://www.elbarri.com/
  • Spanish Tourism Board, info
  • Spain Arts and Culture, https://www.spainculture.us/city/portland/meethechef-with-albert-adria/
  • Travel Portland, https://www.travelportland.com/
  • Ataula, https://www.ataulapdx.com/
  • Manuel Antonio Recio, https://www.ibericocarver.com
  • Urdaneta, https://www.urdanetapdx.com/
  • Pix Patisserie, https://www.pixpatisserie.com/
  • Bar Casa Vale, https://www.barcasavale.com/
  • Perlot, https://www.perlotpdx.com
  • Tournant, https://www.tournantpdx.com/
  • Culinary Collective, https://www.culinarycollective.com/
  • Portland Sangria, https://www.portlandsangria.com/
  • Yen Chocolates, https://www.ayenforchocolate.com/
  • Pepe Carretero, https://www.pepecarretero.com/

Download PDF
Albert Adriàchef talksculinary artselBulligastronomyhome cookingMeet the ChefmeethechefMichelin star chefsSpainSpanish foodTania Cidoncha
Share Tweet
Nancy Zaffaro

Nancy Zaffaro

Nancy Zaffaro took her first solo trip at 17 years old and has been hooked on travel ever since. She's a long-time writer and editor and the Editor of ConfettiTravelCafe.com. You can see more of her work at NancyZaffaro.com.

You Might Also Like

  • business travel post covid Getting There

    Future of Business Travel Post COVID-19

  • coffee around the world Turkish coffee At the Bar

    How to Enjoy Coffee Around the World

  • the Burton At the Bar

    The Burton: A Historic Tavern in Allegany, New York

2 Comments

  • Avatar
    Becky Breshears says: January 28, 2019 at 3:11 pm

    That sounds like a fabulous experience! We need one in Boise!

    Reply
    • Nancy Zaffaro
      Nancy Zaffaro says: January 28, 2019 at 3:24 pm

      You do need events like this in Boise! There’d be a real interest for this type of evening in just about every city, I think. The opportunity to hear from an internationally renowned chef AND get a chance to meet and enjoy tastings from some of Portland’s best restaurants and suppliers really makes it even more fun.
      Thanks so much and glad you enjoyed the post!

      Reply

    Leave a reply Cancel reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Search

    Like What You See? Write For us!

    We're always interested in publishing new stories that celebrate travel, culture and connection. Take a look at our Submission Guidelines and pitch your story.

    Follow Us on Instagram

    confettitravel

    Some happenin’ colors out there this morning! . Some happenin’ colors out there this morning!
.
.
#sunrise #sunriseoftheday #goodmorning #breathe #oregon #coldair #gooddayahead #goodvibes
    So today I made a treat; squid ink #paella . Even So today I made a treat; squid ink #paella . Even got a pretty good socarrat, that savory bottom of the paella pan crust going.
.
I love a good paella and I love squid. I’ve cleaned the buggers just so I could know how to do it and decided it’s worth buying them already cleaned! But today I used what had on hand, and that meant no squid, just some large shrimp and tiny bay shrimp from the freezer. I had a good #bomba rice. Red and green pepper and a bit of garlic. And Aneto brand cooking base made it reeeally easy, with lots of good squid and fish flavors, a bit of tomato and veggie flavors and seasonings, including a bit of #saffron 
.
.
I’m not Spanish and didn’t grow up with this. But I’m Italian and did enjoy squid a few different ways, and there was a neighborhood Greek restaurant that made the best stuffed squid too. So this was a savory and salty happy-happy meal on a Sunday afternoon.
.
Here’s to keeping a good stocked pantry!
.
#paella🥘 #squid #squidink #shrimp #aneto @anetobroth #spanishfood #seafood #rice #sunday #sundaydinner #foodie #homecooking #homecooked #cooking #quickmeals #backtoworktomorrow
    What a day, what a day!!! . (Not my images of cour What a day, what a day!!!
.
(Not my images of course and normally wouldn’t do it...but. 🎉)
.
.
#inauguration #inaugurationday #freshstart #hope #healing #action #46 #celebrate
    Remember that lovely little #amaryllis bulb encase Remember that lovely little #amaryllis bulb encased in red wax? Well, I’ve been enjoying the growth and blooming process! With #gratitude for such a thoughtful gift.
.
The tall #bulb is in its third bloom by the way; great fun to help make happen!
.
#amaryllisflower #flowers #winter #wintercolors #addsomecolor #friendship #gifts #newyear
    Morning cappuccino and homemade biscotti! . Fun to Morning cappuccino and homemade biscotti!
.
Fun to have my daughter making the biscotti now, from my favorite recipe.
.
#morningcoffee #morningmotivation #coffee #coffeelover #espresso #cappuccino #biscotti #chocolatechips #chocolatechipbiscotti #chocolatechipcookies #startmyday #happysunday
    ‘Tis the spirit of the season! A good friend sto ‘Tis the spirit of the season! A good friend stopped by with the most #apropos #gift !
.
 #christmas2020 #christmas2020🎄🎅🎁 #tistheseason #besafe #besafeoutthere #xmas #christmasdecor #christmasornaments2020 #friends #friendship #makemelaugh #laugh #smile #wehavetolaugh
    Raise a glass ... Happy Christmas Eve! . . #girlfr Raise a glass ... Happy Christmas Eve!
.
.
#girlfriends #morningyoga #christmas #friends #friendship #giftexchange #christmasgifts #christmastime #mimosa #mimosas #raiseaglass #soover2020 #before5
    A good start to any #holiday ! We had every intent A good start to any #holiday ! We had every intention of doing our morning yoga ... but #mimosas and gift exchanges were calling! Rare to miss ... but ... Happy Christmas Eve!
.
.
#girlfriends #morningyoga #christmas #friends #friendship #giftexchange #christmasgifts #christmastime #mimosa #mimosas #raiseaglass #soover2020
    Christmas Eve and the last window on my 1960 Adven Christmas Eve and the last window on my 1960 Advent calendar is open! I love this little tradition.
.
Sorry, no chocolates in this one! Merry Christmas! I wish you all a healthy and happy and safe #holiday !!
.
#christmas #merrychristmas #advent #adventcalendar #childhoodmemories #windowsofinstagram #familytime #memories #tradition #traditions #familytraditions #nochocolate #besafe  #besafeoutthere
    A bad mom moment ... I don’t remember which #kid A bad mom moment ... I don’t remember which #kiddo made this or when! But I still love my #winter doorstop! Ha! Merry Christmas!🎁 
.
.
#christmas #christmasdecor #christmaspast #homemade #kidmade #doorstop #family #familytime #gifts #kidmade #christmastime
    Always something new under the stars and sun and m Always something new under the stars and sun and moon! A friend gave me an #amaryllis and check it out! Encased in red wax, no watering needed. Can’t wait to see the #bloom! And I’m including a shot of my “old” Amaryllis as well. The blooms won’t be ready for the holidays, but this will be the third time since last Christmas that they will bloom. Yay me!
.
.
#flowers #flower #christmas #gift #tradition #enjoytheholidays #happyholidays #red #colorful #christmasgifts #christmasdecor #friends #friendship #luckyme
    Squash seeds ... I’ve always baked them with dry Squash seeds ... I’ve always baked them with dry spices. But this time around, I took a tip from my daughter-in-law and baked them in a little #marinade of soy sauce, ginger and some hot chili oil. Delicious!
.
.
#squash #seeds #snacks #fallfoods #foodies #foodie #foodporn #foodiesofinstagram #fromthegarden #gardentotable #chilioil #soysauce #ginger
    My city of bridges ... A #saturday walk around dow My city of bridges ... A #saturday walk around downtown Portland ...
.
.
#portlandoregon #portland #eastside  #westside #inmycity #takeawalk #willametteriver #walk #walking #fall #fallvibes #fallweather #waterfront #bridges #tillikum #tillicumcrossing #steelbridge #steelbridges
    Perfect day to walk the Esplanade in downtown Port Perfect day to walk the Esplanade in downtown Portland ...
.
.
#portlandoregon #portland #eastside  #westside #inmycity #takeawalk #willametteriver #walk #walking #fall #fallvibes #fallweather #waterfront
    happens every December, don’tcha know ...the foo happens every December, don’tcha know ...the food bill goes through the roof! Can’t resist buying all kind of little favorite delicacies!!
.
.
And I haven’t even STARTED picking up #cheese and #charcuterie yet! LOL!
.
#holidays #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #favoritethings #favoritefoods #christmas #gourmet #gourmetfood #truffles #cranberries #mussels @penncoveshellfish #capers #dittmann  #saltedcapers @starvationalley  @drinkcacoco #drinkingchocolate @jacobsensaltco #oregon #washingtonstate #washington #cooking #cookingathome
    And a merry Christmas ... I really do love the hol And a merry Christmas ... I really do love the holidays and this year, in that regard, is no different than any other. #bekind #beafriend #breathe 
.
.
#christmas #christmastree #christmas2020 #christmastime
    A little prayer for peace...happy #Hanukkah! . . # A little prayer for peace...happy #Hanukkah!
.
.
#hannukah #hanukkah2020
    A #granddog boy-dog and his treat! Cooper, loved s A #granddog boy-dog and his treat! Cooper, loved seeing you ... oh, oh and your mom and dad...😉
.
.
@cooper.d.shiba #dog #dogsofinstagram #caninelove
    Exploring the neighborhood and this is the view on Exploring the neighborhood and this is the view on my way back before getting off the main road and back onto my little side street.
.
#walking #takeawalk #fall #walk #mthood #mthoodoregon #portland #oregon #inmyneighborhood
    New house, new garden, new season, new world...in New house, new garden, new season, new world...in full fall color!
.
.
#fall #autumn #fallcolors #mybackyard #trees #hugatree #outside #garden #inthegarden #fallcolor #newhouse #oregon #clackamas #portland #happyvalley #happyvalleyoregon #peaceful #relax
    Load More... Follow on Instagram

    Our Contributors!

    We love our Contributors and enjoy building a community of writers. Take a look at who’s writing for Confetti Travel Cafe on our Contributors page!

    Find us on Facebook

    Recent Comments

    • Nancy Zaffaro on 7 Best Places in Japan for Freelance Writers
    • writeessaytoday on 7 Best Places in Japan for Freelance Writers
    • Nancy Zaffaro on Top 10 Destinations to Visit in Moscow
    • Arie on Top 10 Destinations to Visit in Moscow
    • Nancy Zaffaro on Tiffany Stained Glass Windows in Franklin, Pennsylvania
    • Donald Ziegler on Tiffany Stained Glass Windows in Franklin, Pennsylvania

    Archives

    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016

    Categories

    Recent Posts

    • Future of Business Travel Post COVID-19
    • How to Enjoy Coffee Around the World
    • The Burton: A Historic Tavern in Allegany, New York
    • An Introduction to Sipping Tequilas
    • Top Trends in Travel Blogging
    • Tips For Moving to a Different State
    • How to Save Money on Food While Traveling Abroad
    • Home
    • Our Site
    • Contributors
    • Write To Us
    • Write For Us
    • Work With Us
    • Disclosure

    Categories

    • Africa/Middle East (15)
    • Antarctica/Arctic (1)
    • Art & Culture (27)
    • Asia (31)
    • At the Bar (57)
    • Canada (3)
    • Coastal (36)
    • Europe (42)
    • Food & Drink (141)
    • Food And Drink (70)
    • For the Home (33)
    • Getting There (24)
    • International (92)
    • International Destinations (116)
    • Mexico/Central America/Carribean (13)
    • Midwest (4)
    • Northeast (13)
    • Northwest (76)
    • Oceania (7)
    • On The Town (76)
    • Outdoors (16)
    • People Stories (24)
    • Recipes (30)
    • South America (6)
    • Southeast (33)
    • Southwest (17)
    • Staying There (47)
    • Travel & Lifestyle (71)
    • Travel Destinations (21)
    • Travel Gear & Gifts (27)
    • Travel Tips (55)
    • U.S. (74)
    • U.S. Destinations (140)
    • Uncategorized (1)

    Recent Posts

    • Future of Business Travel Post COVID-19
    • How to Enjoy Coffee Around the World
    • The Burton: A Historic Tavern in Allegany, New York
    • An Introduction to Sipping Tequilas
    • Top Trends in Travel Blogging
    • Tips For Moving to a Different State
    • How to Save Money on Food While Traveling Abroad

    Tag Cloud

    day hike National Civil Rights Museum Sonoran Desert Whidbey Pies Rimsha Ather Brennan Vineyards Millicent Rogers Maker's Mark Pigeon Forge Dallas Holocaust Museum Jayden’s German Store Newport Harbor Central America best coffee shops Breitenbush disabilties horse-drawn carriages oshibori Emerald cocktail Ray of Hope Expeditions pinot noir Chateau Montelena Winery Iberostar moving abroad flamenco music Rabun County Tyler Malek Workaway asanas steel drum music dolphins Spicemas vineyard tours traveling with toddlers Christmas Shannon Flynn whisky guides car camping Camiguin Coron Palawan

    © 2020 Confetti Travel Cafe. All rights reserved.