Spanish Masala

HELLO! spends a memorable afternoon with Spanish ambassador José Ramón Barañano and his wife, Ana Garcia De Barañano, at their Delhi home in the company of their friends, Costa Rican ambassador Mariela Cruz Alvarez and MasterChef Shipra Khanna

- Sanghita Singh

The oft-criticised Delhi air is not so oppressive on the day we meet Spanish ambassador José Ramón Barañano and his charming wife, Ana Garcia De Barañano, at their residence. The charming Lutyen’s building is steeped in history and has been bringing a flavour of Spain to India’s Capital since the 1950s, when the Spanish government purchased the property and made it the official residence of the ambassador. The lavish open verandahs and lush lawns apart, the rooms inside are tastefully done and the Queen’s room – literally, the gem in the crown, where Queen Sophia of Spain used to stay during her India visits – has gained the reputation of being a show-window to the European nation’s regal splendour. “The Spanish royal family loves India and they visit often. Whenever the queen visited, she stayed in this particular room and, by default, it’s now called the Queen’s room,” says Barañano while introducing us to the building’s long-standing history.

The house is known to host the most elegant soirées in town with politicians, businessmen, writers and artists being invited for some unforgettable Spanish experiences. The lady of the house, Ana is stylish and elegant. She’s hands-on with her job as the ambassador’s wife, taking a close look at the goings-on – from the kitchen to the décor, she’s clearly the woman-in-charge at home! Chef Shipra Khanna, a friend of the couple and Spain’s culinary ambassador in India, has been handed over the kitchen turf for the day to present her specialties – grilled fish, salads and chocolate canapes.