A party for the Salvador Dali of the kitchen
I recently went to a book party for the celebrated Spanish chef Ferran Adria. Chef Adria's restaurant, elBulli, near Barcelona, is a three-Michelin-star restaurant and has been ranked No. 1 for the third year in a row. In his new book, "A Day at elBulli," Adria explains how he achieved this honorable status, sharing many photographs and many fine recipes.
Adria started his culinary career washing dishes in a French restaurant. Later, he served in the Spanish military, where he was stationed in the kitchen. When he was 22, he began working with the kitchen staff of elBulli, and quite remarkably, just 18 months later, he was appointed the head chef.
Adria is the quintessential experimental chef and travels a great deal to gather inspiration. In fact, he closes elBulli down for six months every year so that he is free to travel, stimulating his artistic skills. Adria, after all, has earned the moniker "the Salvador Dali of the kitchen." If you're traveling to Spain and are considering a meal at elBulli, I have to tell you that they receive more than 2 million requests a year for reservations and fill just 8,000 seats.
The event looked like lots of fun. You absolutely glowed in all your pictures. You must have had a wonderful time. It would be fun to see you make paella or some spanish dish on your show.
Posted by: sushi2 | October 14th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Numbers are difficult to beat.
2000000 vs 8000 says it all
Posted by: * Ewa In The Garden * | October 14th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Oh my, he must be some Chef! Those kind of bookings are incredible. I love passionate chefs - listening to them talk about food is better than the meal itself sometimes. Thanks for all the pictures - they are great always. You always look stunning in your photos Martha -very photogenic!
Posted by: Lilly | October 14th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
How exciting for YOU! And, dull for the rest of us.
Posted by: Susan | October 15th, 2008 at 2:51 am
A culinary surrealist! Now that IS intriguing!
-Andrew
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | October 15th, 2008 at 2:52 am
Hey Martha -- Sounds like a great party!
Looking forward to meeting you at your booksigning in Short Hills next week!
Kara
Posted by: Kara Richardson Whitely -- www.fatwomanonthemountain.com | October 15th, 2008 at 3:18 am
oh wow Martha...that is wonderful...you are so lucky to be in the heart of all these wonderful places....I can imagine how tasty his surreal treats are....
Cheers,
Diana
Posted by: Diana Evans | October 15th, 2008 at 4:13 am
Thanks for showing how to obtain pomegranate seeds. I would have enjoyed a picture of the picture, was Kevin standing on the bar for those pictures?
The blog always makes me hungry and my house has none of the great foods you describe. Somehow a peanut butter and jelly sandwich just is not the same thing.
Thanks as always.
Posted by: Margie | October 15th, 2008 at 5:12 am
Dang everyone needs their own photographer. We may not be meeting with Spanish chef Ferran Adria, but everything we do turns out to be a picture of the other people there and no record of us. What a fun night for you.
Posted by: Sandi | October 15th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Martha, you get invited to the best parties and I like it when you share them with us. Your pictures tell the whole story.
Thanks for showing Sarah Carey...I was wondering where she was and then there's Miles Quinn. Isn't he that 'little' guy who was on the show with you one day putting plants in a very large planter? Well, he's all grown up now and very handsome.
I wish you were at my house when I bought my very first pomegranate. I managed to get it open but didn't know it was the seeds that were to be eaten. You had talked about them on one of your earlier shows but didn't demonstrate how to eat them. I actually tasted the white stuff but good thing the seeds tasted better! Live and learn. Trish
Posted by: Trish | October 15th, 2008 at 5:36 am
This event, like all the others that you attend, Martha, did look like fun! What better way to celebrate success, than to be of "one accord", having like minds in your interests and mutual admiration for one another!
We as fans always seem to kid you, that you're always rubbing elbows with SOME celebrity or someone of renowned status. You know how the old adage goes, though - "birds of a feather"...(flock together). What can one say - success breeds success...it's plain-n-simple! If one desires a strong chance to become successful, the usual advice given is to interact more with and befriend other successful people!
I'd say, my Martha, that you have arrived...YOU have a-r-r-i-v-e-d!
Onward and upward!
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | October 15th, 2008 at 7:02 am
Kudos to Chef Adria. He's worked long and hard to acheive his status. Well done. We all look to our heroes and mentors as we strive to achieve similar status. And even if we don't, we learn alot through the journey. Thank you Martha for another great post.
Posted by: Teresa | October 15th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Hi Martha, Thanks for sharing another fantastic blog about another fabulous event you attended. Once again, your photos are beautiful. I love the ones of you and Alice Waters. If I ever make it to New York, I have information about all kinds of great restaurants to choose from simply by reading your blog. Thanks for all you do for us, Martha. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | October 15th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Thank you darling for the wonderful pictures. I so love spanish food and I adore Barcelona, one of my most enjoyable vacations. I love you and just adore being able to share all your adventures through your Blog. It is an absolute educational experience you share with the world.
Posted by: Pam | October 15th, 2008 at 8:52 am
How I wish I could seeyour programs, but I discovered you are no longer on ABC in our area. Where can I find you? Also, we don't get Fine Living in Redding, CA. How disappointing. I am a big fan.
Posted by: Pat Johnson | October 15th, 2008 at 8:59 am
I have only eaten a pomegranate twice. Mainly because there weren't available here for a long time. So now that I know how to open one, might be a little more fun!!
Sushi. I have never had that either. Not something I really want to try in MT. Maybe if I make it to...well... anywhere but MT!
Anyway, looked like a fun time. Thanks for blogging about it.
Posted by: Ashley | October 15th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Martha,
You look divine! Love you in black;)
Posted by: Tinnay | October 15th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Martha is looking wonderful as usual!
Posted by: Shawn | October 15th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Thanks for sharing photos of the wonderful party in Spain. A three star restaurant - the food must have been yummy. I enjoy reading your many blogs and especially looking at the photos you post. It's almost like being there!
Posted by: Susan | October 15th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Martha ~ Wishing you a magickal & Happy Halloween!!!
)
SpOOky CK
Posted by: Christopher Klingler | October 19th, 2008 at 4:26 am
Love you blog--beautiful, helpful and amazing. Thanks for keeping us inspired and organized!
Posted by: Ann | October 29th, 2008 at 9:59 am