Finished Rick Tramonto's book today, 'Scars of a Chef' on the train. Amazing!!!! Really great story of his childhood and career thus far. He has truely made it up the ranks, and can't wait to go see him at his new New Orleans restaurant. I met him this year in Naples, Fl. at the Food & Wine Festival with Dean, my chef. He was so cool and was nice enough to bring a signed copy of his new book for Jill, pastry chef, and I to breakfast one day. Very inspirational me as a cook/chef. One thing he talks about is that he still to this day, tries to get to Europe one or twice a year, for his continuing culinary education. He would always take notes an write his wish list for the future. I have def started mine:-> I couldn't agree more!!!! I know this is my first trip and it is difficult for us in the business to get away, but it has been so great... I will always long to come back to see and learn the food and culture.
Got checked in to my hostel, at least it's right by the train station and the beach is only 1km away... The room is not that great, but I got a good rate for the weekend, and I don't have to share a with anyone. I think this is a summer retreat for all the local Spanish people. Not too many tourist here. They are all in Barcelona! Great little town though, really glad I get to come see another part of this country.
Went to meet Chef Paco Perez today down by the beach at his restaurant Miramar. Little nervous, but it really helps I speak a little Spanish. Cannot stress that enough!!!! NO ONE speaks English. Catalonian is a little like French actually, but I don't speak that either. I know enough to get by though, and I could not be more excited! This guy is a celebrity here. He is like Dean is to the the south. Or at least in Texas. As soon as I say Paco, everyone's face lights up, ohhhh Chef Paco, yessssss! We talked for a few minutes and I will start tomorrow at 9!!!! I also cannot explain how cool this experience is. All I the cooks at the Barcelona Ritz are extremely jealous/envious of this opportunity. They dream of coming and working with this guy, and two chefs(Orly and Leo) after two days, called him to ask if I could come. Must have done OK this week in Barcelona!!!!!
So pumped to work at another spot and spend the weekend here. Gonna head back to hostel, chill, and grab some local food....
Pics
View of the Spanish countryside and the port. Beautiful! Not the white sands of California and Carribean, but really clean water, very peaceful here. Still lots of topless girls, don't mind that at all:->
Just a random train station sign of Llança, but I was pretty excited to have made it here!
The cup of ice, not the best pic, but they serve their ice coffee with two cubes of regular ice and one made with the espresso! Thought that was a nice touch. A lot of people like their café with ice here?!? Guess its just like Starbucks, just a lot cheaper. Basically 1 euro here.
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