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When two chefs of the stature of Paco Roncero and Albert Adrià join forces, only good things can come out of it. And on this occasion it has been to create ‘La Próxima Tapa’, an exclusive tapa devised by Roncero and Adrià called Tumaca de cortezón crujiente con anchoa. A snack that combines a traditional influence with Mediterranean freshness, alluding to Paco’s Madrid origin and Adrià’s Catalan origin. This is an initiative organised by Trainline, Europe’s leading train and bus ticketing app, to celebrate all the high-speed connections currently available between the two capitals. In addition, this exquisite snack will be available for free during the weekend of 17-19 March on the first floor of the Barceló Market, while stocks last (at the end of the article we detail the times when it will be available).
At the presentation of the project, the chefs offered a showcooking session to explain the meaning of this tapa. The crunchy tumaca with anchovy is a snack that fuses the most representative flavours of their cities of origin. They have decided on such a tapa because it represents Spanish gastronomy very well.
‘La Próxima Tapa’, a Madrid-Barcelona journey
It has a crispy base of Iberian pork rind and is garnished with marinated Iberian jowl, evoking Madrid’s most traditional personality. It is also accompanied by tomato seeds, tomato water gel and basil leaves, an interpretation of the Catalan pan tumaca, and topped with an anchovy. This is how Roncero and Adrià have created the perfect combination of Madrid and Barcelona.
“Through the traditional and Mediterranean ingredients that form part of ‘La Próxima Tapa’ we want to vindicate what is local and the cuisine of origin, while at the same time encouraging our palate to explore the diversity and authenticity of the flavours that make up our country. Gastronomy is in itself a journey and an invitation to discover other places, and this is what Albert and I have tried to transmit with this dish”, said Paco Roncero.
For his part, Albert Adrià pointed out that, despite the points in common between the two gastronomies, “the distance can be made more evident by the identities of the traditions of each city, which are easily distinguishable from one another”. However, “the two and a half hours that separate Barcelona from Madrid by high-speed train seem like a breath of air”, said the Catalan in reference to Trainline’s initiative. Now more than ever, thanks to the arrival of new high-speed train operators between Madrid and Barcelona, prices have decreased by 49%, while demand has increased by 628% compared to 2019. In addition, a survey conducted by Trainline also highlights that 34% of the Spanish population chooses gastronomy as their favourite activity when travelling in Spain.
Free tasting at the Barceló Market (Madrid)
As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, this exclusive tapa by Paco Roncero and Albert Adrià will be available for free from 17 to 19 March in the gastrobar area of the Barceló Market (Barceló Street, 6). The aim is to encourage locals and visitors to the city to make the two-and-a-half-hour train journey between Madrid and Barcelona in one bite.
Fancy trying the Tumaca de cortezón crunchy with anchovy? Take note, because they will be available on the first floor of the Barceló Market at the following times:
- Friday 17 March from 19 to 23h
- Saturday 18 March from 1pm to 5pm and from 7pm to 11pm
- Sunday 19 March from 13 to 17h.
The food will be served on a first-come, first-served basis and while stocks last.
