Is destiny already written?
Some say destiny is already written. But others say the opposite: that you forge it yourself, and you are its master. As a reflective person, I tend to take a little from both views.
Many of the memories from my childhood that come to mind are related to food. And they are not negative, as happens to many people who even remember with pain situations where they had a really hard time with food. In my case, it’s quite the opposite. Born in Catalonia to parents from the province of Huelva (Andalusia), I had a different culinary introduction than other people born in Barcelona or nearby. Andalusian cuisine was very well integrated into my family—for example, the stews, which there were called “potajes”: lentils, chickpeas or beans, with all their “added value” included, like the pringue (lard, blood sausage, meat, chorizo…) and soups made with a good ham bone…, and other recipes I remember fondly, such as anchovies in vinegar or scrambled dishes. That culinary culture was based on the idea that to do things well you needed what is most precious today: time to prepare them. And thus, to obtain an optimal result from those traditional recipes.
But if I must remember something fondly from my childhood, it’s my summer vacations, and on some occasions, also Easter. There I discovered, in its fullest dimension and depth, the
gastronomy of Huelva. Starting with sandwiches that bore no resemblance to those you could enjoy in Barcelona. The
chorizo, for example, was very different: juicier, firmer, available in many varieties and with a very different flavor. You could say that was the first gourmet product I appreciated on my palate, and it made me see that, despite having the same name, products could be very different—and so could their quality.
Later, the range was much wider: the white chorizo (called that because it has no paprika) drove me crazy, but also other products that were a “novelty” for a city kid from Barcelona, such as morcón, morcilla, chorizo‑flavored morcilla, etc. Now when I think about it I can only smile with genuine, pure happiness. Besides, you appreciated it more because you shared it with people (friends and family who advised you on what you were eating).
Lomito and Acorn‑Fed Ham, a turning point
But two products stood out above the rest. Their flavor and texture were so different from what I had tasted before (which simply had lower quality), and I will always remember them as that turning point, a before and after. The
lomito de bellota (acorn‑fed pork loin) was spectacular: a much darker color and a texture and flavor unknown to me until then that made me literally enjoy them “like a child.” The
“lomito tapas” with country bread were on another level, and here I did contribute to the local gastronomy, which my relatives later thanked me for: the
“pa amb tomàquet” (Catalan tomato bread). With just the right touch of
extra virgin olive oil, that gastronomic experience became even better.
And then there was
acorn‑fed ham. A whole different story. I was used to serrano ham, a salty but pleasant ham, yet without the consistency that would make you think of it as a unique product. My parents’ origin,
Calañas (Huelva), certainly contributed to my knowledge of this delicacy. It is located near the
Sierra de Aracena, world‑famous for the town of
Jabugo. One of the cradles of the
100% Iberian breed pig: a larger, darker pig that you fall in love with at first sight.
And when you get there, you are truly captivated by everything: the cured‑ham smell in the drying rooms, the shops selling “de bellota” products with extensive ranges of Iberian pork derivatives. A
“Haute Coture,” shop, but of Iberian gastronomy. I remember those trips to Jabugo to buy products and take them back to Barcelona as some of the happiest days of my vacation. It felt like Christmas… but in summer. Loaded with products to enjoy at home during the autumn and winter months. Going to buy Iberian
souvenirs was simply a great reason to bring the family together and share those moments, which would remain in memory forever and which I can happily recall today.
Made in Spain Gourmet: a stimulus for my life
By late 2019 I already had the itch to materialize something concrete that would bring a different stimulus to my professional life, which until then had been focused on business consulting and marketing. Gastronomy was already part of my business in the events we organized, but I wanted more direct knowledge of our products through their producers, and to have them tell us in person their stories and passions behind their creations.
Discovering products we thought we knew has been extraordinary. From
preserves, to
honeys or
nuts, to name a few. Of course, the most exciting part is
meeting the people behind these products, with whom we share
love for what’s ours and a commitment to the
highest quality, preserving the land and the ways of crafting these
gastronomic treasures.
Made in Spain Gourmet becomes the meeting point between the producer who loves their land and products and the consumer who does not know them yet but wants to taste them, knowing that their purchase contributes to the circular economy—in other words, that their purchase
goes directly to the producer, because we act as personal recommenders and ambassadors for those brands, taking responsibility for their quality.
We are
an online gourmet store with people behind it, not a cold, impersonal
marketplace where products are "auctioned" as soon as you open them.
We are the real alternative to marketplaces, and we convey a professional model of RESPECT for all
actors in the value chain, starting with producers and their workers, as a synonym for EXCELLENCE, QUALITY, TRUST, AND CLOSENESS, reaching consumers in a
simple and transparent way. We are
the trusted partner for your purchases of
Spanish gourmet products.
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An origin that said it all[/caption]
Our goal is to reach
as many people as possible who want the assurance of
buying directly from a producer, offering the largest possible number of different products—items that are
very difficult or nearly impossible to find in their cities or even their countries (Europe), because the selection made by
Svetlana, Xavi and Israel is of the highest quality and we guarantee these Spanish gourmet products are
Totally High End!
Democratizing a gastronomic experience that brings happiness is our mission—an experience I was lucky to enjoy and appreciate from a very young age. Now, I just want to share it with you.