I Love Tapas interview

It’s been quite a week for Sevilla Tapas! First I got a glowing Trip Advisor review from Tara and Christian, who’d been on my Christmas Day tour, and then a new website called Andalucia Direct surprised me by giving me a free listing.

And today the interview I did this past weekend with Rosana Domínguez (aka Holly Cocina) for I Love Tapas went live!

I’ve been given permission to post an English translation here, which you can read below. You can see the original Spanish version here:

Entrevista a Shawn Hennessey y sus tours de tapas Sevilla Tapas

Shawn Hennessey, compulsive blogger, Twitter addict (with 4 accounts) and long-time Foodie, is originally from Canada but never felt like she truly belonged there and so moved to Spain (via Bristol England) in 1992, where she finally found her home. After a year in Salamanca she moved south to Sevilla and in April 2007 started the Sevilla Tapas blog. According to Shawn it all happened by accident while she was out for lunch with a friend on a lovely spring afternoon and it occured to her to take some photos not of just the square and the orange trees, but also of the food, which were then posted on her personal blog, casa az. The response was so positive that she started publishing regular “tapas posts”, which eventually led to a separate website for Sevilla Tapas. Aside from running several blogs, Shawn also writes for travel sites such as Slow Europe, Travel Intelligence and National Geographic, and has recently become the Seville Expert for Simonseeks.

Presently Shawn is working on several projects including her very popular tapas tours, working with local restaurants managing their social media, and organising special Restaurant & Hotel English courses.

Continue reading “I Love Tapas interview”

Mejor Cocinero Novel 2010

Francisco Javier Rivas

On November 15th the Best New Chef competition took place at CEA in the Cartuja, with six young chefs competing in this Iron Chef event. And while they were busy trying to impress the judges by creating a unique dish with surprise Andalusian ingredients, we were treated to several cooking demonstrations by top Spanish chefs Dani Garcia, Francis Paniego, Quique Dacosta and Angel Leon, as well as local restauranteurs including Puratasca, Zurrutraque, Gorki, Simun and Sur (Gastromium).

Just before lunch break (which was much later than planned due to technical difficulties getting started) the Best Chef award was presented to Grenadian Francisco Javier Rivas for his “Ibéric ‘dam’ of Sierra Mayor filled with false risotto, potatoes, pear and herbal air”. He also received 3.000 euros, a training course and a trip to next year’s Andalucía Sabor conference.

Congratulations Francisco!

After the cocktail lunch featuring tapas made from regional products, the book Andalucía destapa Andalucía was presented, followed by the final ponencias of the day.

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Tapeo Extremo

This week I had the pleasure of finally meeting Twitter friend and travel writer @AnnieBennett, who was in town as a part of a whirlwind tour around Andalucía. And so we had three “extreme tapeo” sessions in two days, which was both fun and exhausting with temperatures well above 40ºC. But as you can see, we are seasoned veterans – below you can see Annie enjoying a glass of bubbly at the Alfonso XIII Hotel where we stopped in for some post lunch emergency cava.

We stopped at several of my favourite tapas bars and restaurants as well as taking a short tour around Triana and visiting the market. The two evening sessions were somewhat cooler and it was especially pleasant to finish our last one on the rooftop of the Doña María Hotel. We had tried out the EME Hotel rooftop bar for its spectacular view of the Giralda, but it was trying way too hard to be cool.  I had a great time and hope to see Annie again soon.

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If you’d like to take part in one of my tapas tours,
click on the link below for more information.

Sevilla Tapas Tours

Despensa de la Marquesa

Recently moved from its original location near the Campana, the new Despensa de la Marquesa opened its doors last night with a lovely party. This gourmet food & wine shop also serves tapas and does take-away. You will find everything from coffees, teas & Belgian chocolates to exquisite cheeses, pâtés and jamón serrano, along with a wide selection of wines. César also offers a catering service and makes up very original gift baskets.

Joaquín Guichot, 12
(near Plaza Nueva)
Tel.954 564 168
Open 9.00 – midnight
Closed Sunday in summer