After purchase & the week of the event, an email will detail location and other information about preparing for the experience.
José Andrés, Spanish-American chef and humanitarian behind World Central Kitchen (WCK), said, “Tapas are the celebration of life… Wherever there’s tapas, there’s happiness.” Truly, the popularity of tapas derives from the communal culinary experience where small-plate dining offers a diverse sampling of food through flavor, texture, color, and adventurous combinations. Tapas cannot be classified as a specific cuisine, but rather, tapas are a “style of eating” that invokes joyful connection, vibrant conversation, and interactive community.
The Spanish believe that “tapas are the story of Spain told on small plates.” Tapas and raciónes bear a rich history in Spain, dating back to the trade routes with the Middle East and India. The Berber and Arabic people, who inhabited most of North Africa during the Middle Ages, began to trade, conquer, and finally rule the Iberian Peninsula, working their way through Andalusia and Portugal. They became known as the Islamic Moors, influencing everything from architecture to food for over 700 years. The Middle Eastern mezze, composed of small plates of savory foods, greatly influenced the advent of the tapas and drinks tradition in southern Spain.
Many Spaniards believe that historically bartenders placed tiny plates over prepared drinks to keep flies and dirt away. Eventually, they added cheese, olives, and other prepared bites to the plates. Over the last 30 years, tapas have made their way throughout Europe and especially into the United States, influencing many menus from locals bars to the high-end restaurants to embrace the selection of tapas and raciónes as an experiential meal
Our chefs have designed and prepared several rounds of tapas (small portions) and raciónes (more substantial dish portions), exemplifying Spanish delicacies and the celebrated Valencian saffron-infused paella. We hope to bring you, our guests, together to savor little “memories on a plate” at this elevated social dining experience. See you at the table!
