A culinary wishlist …
In this series, Irish and international foodie folk share their insider tips with us: from chef Richard Corrigan, Meeran Manzoor and Romain Tessier of Artybaker to Thomasina Miers and Kasha Connolly At Hazel Mountain Chocolate.
Appearing at this year’s Big Grill Festival, Raquel Acosta Quintanilla has carved a glamorous niche in the traditionally male world of jamón slicing. Born in Burgos and trained in Salamanca, she honed her skills through hours of meticulous practice before becoming one of Spain’s most sought-after cortadoras. Now, with a team behind her and a globe-trotting schedule of high-end events, Raquel is redefining the craft, pairing exquisite jamón with fine wine, artisan cheese in her own signature style.
My ideal weekend … Involves going out to a good restaurant, enjoying great food, and having a nice glass of wine with my friends. In my free time, what I love most is cooking – it’s my biggest hobby.
My favourite ingredient … A good tomato! It’s fresh, versatile and perfect in a simple salad or blended in a fresh gazpacho.
My favourite food … The one thing I could eat every day is cheese and, honestly, I almost do!
My favourite drink … I’m a very seasonal drinker. From June to September, I enjoy a cold beer, and from October to May, I switch to red wine. It’s my absolute favourite.
My favourite restaurant … Fismuler in Madrid. I love the atmosphere and incredible team. The best dish for me is the crab rice, it’s absolutely delicious.
My favourite food-centric holiday destination … Anywhere in Spain, for sure, especially Cantabria, Galicia or Pais Vasco in Basque Country.