Pamplona, Asturias, Barcelona, Marbella...; but also Paris, Porto, London, or Bogotá. Chefs from around the globe will participate this weekend in the solidarity dinners organized by the initiative 'From Valencia to Valencia', which will be held simultaneously in different cities (in Spain and around the world) with the aim of raising funds to support small businesses affected by the cold drop that hit the Valencian Community just over a month ago.
Driven by Valencian chefs Quique Dacosta, Ricard Camarena, and Begoña Rodrigo, with the support of the Valencian Association of Entrepreneurs (AVE), this initiative has been joined by more than 400 cooks. Among them, renowned figures in national and international gastronomy such as Alain Ducasse, Joan Roca, Andoni Luis Aduriz, Hélène Darroze, Dabiz Muñoz, Ángel León, Juan Mari y Elena Arzak, Álvaro Clavijo, and José Avillez, among many others.
In total, there are 27 dinners planned throughout Spain and 9 in other countries, with some of them already sold out. They are no longer accepting reservations, such as the one organized by Eduard Xatruch, Oriol Castro, and Mateu Casañas at their restaurant Disfrutar; the one led by over 26 chefs from Castilla-La Mancha at the restaurant Iván Cerdeño in Cigarral del Ángel (Toledo); or the one that Ángel León and Rafa Zafra will offer in Sevilla with a four hands collaboration this upcoming Friday.
“From Valencia to Valencia”
There are 27 dinners scheduled throughout Spain and another 9 abroad
In many other events, there are still available seats, such as the one taking place this Saturday at the Llotja de Mar in Barcelona. The lineup is impressive, featuring Joan Roca, Mateu Casañas, Oriol Castro, and Eduard Xatruch, Javier and Sergio Torres, Jordi Cruz, Paolo Casagrande, Paco Perez, Fina Puigdevall, and Martina Puigvert, Jordi Vilà, Hideki Matsuhisa, Romain Fornell, Albert Raurich, Rafa Peña, Marc Gascons, Carles Gaig, Pere Monje, and David Andrés, Raül Balam, Albert Adrià, Andrés Torres, Jordi Juncà, Nandu Jubany, Artur Martínez, Xavier Pellicer, Oliver Peña, Carles and Tomas Abellán, Oscar Manresa, Cristian Escribà, Lluc Crusellas, Carme Ruscalleda, and Ferran Adrià.
Reserve a spot at one of these dinners (the cover charge is around 500 euros per person). It is not the only way to help, as a “Table 0” has been set up to collaborate from a distance with the initiative and contribute whatever each person can. Additionally, 132 other restaurants throughout Spain have joined the project, using different formulas, and there are 12 other initiatives from individuals who have also wanted to join this charitable action.
Solidarity
A Table 0 has been set up to collaborate remotely
To ensure transparency in the handling of funds, 100% of the money raised will be managed by the organization Mamás en Acción, a public utility entity with over 10 years of experience in solidarity projects. “The restaurateurs and hoteliers who have lost everything are small businesses, very humble people. When these disasters happen, these small business owners usually do not receive much help. Many of those who suffered from the eruption in La Palma two years ago say they still have not received anything. Sometimes, the authorities tell you to apply for an ICO loan as a solution. We do not want all of this to be forgotten in 15 days. Small businesses are the engine of this country,” explained chef Begoña Rodrigo about the reason behind the initiative.