SMALL BITES BOLD FLAVOURS

Chef Carles Abellán, founder of Tapas 24 Barcelona brings the authentic, convivial Spanish lifestyle and his love of tapas to Singapore. epicure caught up with him during his first visit to our shores.

- PRIYANKA ELHENCE

Tapas,24 Singapore by chef Carles Abellán of La Barra de Carles Abellán and El Bulli fame is his first venture into Asia. Abellán is famous for revolutionising the modern day tapas culture with his "designer tapas" creations such as Ensaladilla Rusa with Olives, his signature traditional potato salad tapas.

He defines himself as a man who's happiest when propping up a bar because tapas is in his DNA, and it's the most traditional bars and tapas that are his main source of inspiration. Abellán also owns and operates three other Tapas,24 outlets in Spain (two in Barcelona and one on Formentera, which is part of the Balearic Islands).

Truffle Spanish Tortilla

Born in Sabadell, Catalonia in 1963, a young 20-yearold Abellán worked at Els Pescadors, a restaurant in Prim square in the Poblenou district of Barcelona while studying simultaneously at the then-new School of Catering and Hospitality in Barcelona. He then gained experience at other top restaurants in the city including L'Odissea and Hotel Melia.

King Crab Ensaladilla Rusa

At the end of it all, Abellán signed up to be a trainee at El Bulli in 1984, and what was originally supposed to be just a fortnight stint, turned out to be a six-year-long love affair. Abellán continued working at other restaurants developed under the El Bulli concept, and worked a total of 15 years with the group.

Squid Ink Paella