Dec 21: A 3-day culinary fest organized at Hotel Taj Mahal Mansingh Road, Delhi on Nov 30-Dec 2 was an opportunity to enjoy excellent culinary experience of Spanish food and wines some of which are available in India, but the unprecedented presence of 5 award-winning Chefs, 2 of them Michelin-starred, offered a unique gastronomic experience at various events, writes Subhash Arora who visited the Trade Fair organized at the venue on Nov 29 followed by Lunch prepared by the visiting chefs
The event had the total support of Spanish Embassy. Ambassador H.E. Jose Barañano, Commercial Counselor Jose Perez Commercial Attaché Luis Barranco Duque were all there at the Show in the morning of 29th May at the Taj Mahal and later joined for Lunch. While welcoming the invitees, Ambassador Barañano pointed out that Spanish gastronomy came into world’s center stage barely 40 years ago and today Spain could pride itself for several Michelin Starred restaurants-in fact San Sabastian boasts the highest density of such chefs in the world.
It is rare that we get to see Michelin Star Chefs cooking in India though it has been more frequent in the last few years. The event presented not only two such Chefs Miguel Barrera Barrachina, and Ignacio Solana Perez but also 3 other brilliant chefs two of whom are Tapas Maestros-Maria Varela and Alvaro Villasance while Santi Almuina is a Paella Master, all renowned internationally. They prepared two lunches on the 29th November and a Tapas casual evening and fine wine dinner every day for the guests of the Taj.
Michelin Experience at the Grill Room, Chambers at the Taj was a soiree with fine Spanish wines and music on all 3 days and a not-to-be-missed opportunity for the gourmets at Rs. 8,000. Similarly, the Tapas evenings- The Gala Celebration on November 30-December 2 with paella, tapas & sangria was a great informal dining experience amplified by music and live flamenco performance for a mere Rs. 3500 for people who are not too enamoured by wine but are happier with the fashionable sangria poured- slightly more peppy and peppery early evening experiences at the surrealistic Terrace Garden which has perfect weather at this time of the year.
Food and Wines from Spain Trade Fair
But what was more enthralling for me was organization of a ‘Food and Wines from Spain’ Trade Fair by the Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain in India on behalf of ICEX Spain Trade and Investment, on 29th of November followed by Lunch prepared by the visiting Chefs and serving some of the fine wines and later another tasting with wines of food. I attended both, assuming these were two different events but as it 
turned out, former was organized by the Commercial office and latter by the Taj. I had the privilege of tasting wines with non-vegetarian food at the former and then a limited vegetarian fare at the Chambers later in the afternoon.
Spanish sommeliers were offering wine tastings to the invitees. Brindco-La Cave, Torres (Prestige Wines), Agnetta International, Fides and El Circo were the wine importers presenting Spanish wines, as were a few tables displaying olives, cheese etc food ingredients from Spain. In one corner was the Indian made Paella for tasting which honestly did not impress me much. The attendance was low when I visited before noon but the exhibitors were optimistic for the crowd to barge in later in the early evening.
Spanish Extravaganza- excellent promo tool
Spanish Extravaganza is an event planned by ‘Foods and Wines of Spain’. It has traveled to some of the best hotels in London, Shanghai, Vienna, Seoul, Brussels, Moscow, Zurich etc and has been very popular and successful. It debuted in India last year at the Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai. This year, it visited two iconic Taj Hotels in India – The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai and Taj Mahal, New Delhi.
Such events are a bonanza for the gourmets and for wine lovers an excellent opportunity to enjoy fine wines at very reasonable prices. One can only hope, it becomes a regular fixture in the city calendar. With time, the information reaches more people and attendance gets better. It would eventually help the cause of gastronomy and more specifically wines. A word of advice, if I may-and based on what the importers were voicing- the event was not publicized enough and the footfalls could have been better, a refrain generally at such events. Hopefully, next year will be better as a repeat.
Subhash Arora
Menu for Lunch
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