According to tradition, the Bailliage celebrated Christmas with a dinner. Organized by Bailli José Félix Bentz i Oliver, in conjunction with his officers, the sell-out event at the Restaurant Rías de Galicia was a great success on many levels

Owned by our dear friend, Maître Restaurateur Cándido Iglesias, the restaurant is the most iconic seafood restaurant in Barcelona, a meeting point for national and international gourmets. The best of the sea to reach the sky, Rías de Galicia is synonymous with the best Galician seafood.

The pre-dinner cocktail was served in the cellars that Grupo Iglesias have in the vicinity of the restaurant where private meetings are usually held. It is an emblematic space dedicated to the world of wine, a beauty without equal.

It was there that appetisers were served:
- Prawn and crab croquettes
- French oyster ponzu with salmon roe
- Tuna pie
- Octopus a feira (a very special dish in Galicia)
- Padrón peppers and grilled scallops

All were magnificently prepared and of exceptional quality as is expected at a Grupo Iglesias establishment. Cava Juvé y Camps Reserva ‘Cinta Púrpura’ and a white wine, Albariño Pazo de Rubianes, as well as beers and other soft drinks provided the “liquid” accompaniment.

Then we moved to Espai Kru, a reserved area of the restaurant where the dinner was served.

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Txangurro cannelloni

Baked sea bass
boulanger potatoes, diced tomato

70% chocolate dessert

The dinner was as always one of good harmony where members and guests could enjoy the company of each other as well as the pleasures of the table.

Concluding the evening, Bailli Délégué Rosa Román and Bailli José Félix Bentz i Oliver thanked everyone for their participation in the festive celebration.

Gifts were presented to the attendees: for the ladies a handbag mirror printed with the logo of the Chaîne, and for the gentlemen a cava specially-bottled for the AEFE Fundación de Fomento Europeo. Additionally, Montse Abelló had a special gift for the ladies: a beautiful gift bracelet from Liali Dubai. What a wonderful gesture from our dear Chancelier!

Thank you very much Montse, Felix and the Barcelona officers for an extraordinary night. Special thanks also to Enrique Domínguez for the photographs and to César González (a new member of the Bailliage of Madrid) for his input.

Last but not least, we would like to acknowledge the presence of Elina Selin and Jani Paasikoski, both members of the Bailliage of Tampere in Finland but currently residing in Barcelona. As with all international members they are very welcome to our dinners in Spain!

Vive la Chaîne!

Abel González
Chargé de Missions