Well this came as a pleasant surprise! I have been chosen to be one of the five gastronomy experts to do the final judging for an ambitious new project headed by the Sevilla Tourism Board to promote Sevilla’s Gastronomic Heritage, AKA the tapa, as a tourist attraction.
From today until September 5th, locals and visitors to Sevilla can vote on both their favourite tapa and favourite establishment. The list of tapas on the Visit Sevilla Facebook Page starts with around 18 dishes but voters can also add their choices. After the judging has taken place this will become a list of the top 14 tapas in the city and the best places to try them, which will then be included in a guide book.
The other expert judges chosen are:
- Julio Fernández, chef of Sevilla’s only Michelin star restaurant Abantal
- Fernando Huidobro, president of the Acacademy of Gastronomy and Tourism
- Javier Compass, culinary and tourism specialist
- Paco Sanchez, hospitality professional and former owner of the Cervecería Giralda and Bar Estrella
So as you can see I am in excellent company. And as you can also see in the photo below taken at this morning’s presentation at City Hall (photo courtesy of Raúl Doblado ABC Sevilla) I’m not only the only non-Spaniard, but also the only woman. One step at a time…
Sevilla’s Gastronomic Heritage