When asked where I was this weekend the closest I could get to a description, was a foodie equivalent of the TED talks. I don’t
Of course that only scratches the surface of a description
DAY 1
Lunch at MAD provided by the Noma crew their take on a Smorsboro and what a take – this has to be some of the best mass catering I’ve had in a good while!
DAY 2
The main event Adria still causes chefs to swoon as evidenced by the number I saw approaching him for a picture over the 2 days. Clearly the maestro holds the respect of all those present nothing less than the enthustiatic hooping and hollering and a standing ovevation a reception more akin to a rock concert than a food talk – buit then again this was no ordinary speaker – if you want to go out with a bang to this crowd then this is how you do it. Adria’s El Bulli did during its lifetime collect every accolade imaginable. from the 3 stars to the perenial “Best restaurant in the World” that title may now be held by Redzepi’s Noma but even he sounded nervous introducing his former mentor
Adria is in the process of setting up the El Bulli foundation He’s clearly interested in the history of food
His central message was that this particular audience had all this is fine and lets be frank he’s preaching to the converted here I’m more interested in understanding how this new approach to the wider world ? It seems grand in its ambition but I am not sure I understood how it is planning to meet these ambitions.
I will remain open minded and I do think there is a greater interest in food certainly here in the UK Adria will always – in spite of what he says I do not think people will tire of hearing from him
Conclusion
Take to a wider audience – but that would inevitably lose some of its charm.
For those who weren’t there the talks will be on line here in a month.
I’ll be back for David Chang and Guts next year I’m sure.
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