The Christmas Treats tasting introduces traditional Catalan sweets and drinks in New York

On 1 December, chef Úrsula XVII led at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York the third of the Catalan Food events Prodeca has organised this December to showcase Catalan agri-food products and companies.

The Christmas Foods Workshop It featured a demonstration by the chef for some 50 US professionals from the food and drink sector on how to make traditional turrón, one of Catalonia's main Christmas sweets. Participants included food and drink importing and distribution professionals, restaurant and gourmet shop owners, chefs and sommeliers.

Organised jointly with the Catalan Government Delegation to the United States and Canada, the Christmas Treats Workshop was led by Úrsula XVII, a chocolate chef trained by world-renowned pastry chefs while working in various Michelin-starred shops and restaurants in Europe and the United States. She now lives in New York City, where she owns DISSET CHOCOLATE.

The Catalan Food project promotes Catalan products through gastronomy

The Christmas Treats Workshop is part of the Catalan Food project, organised by Prodeca to promote Catalan food culture and companies through a culinary event featuring renowned Catalan chefs and a presentation and tasting of Catalan products,  aimed at a trade audience in the country concerned: distributors, restaurants and specialist shops. 

The initiative has a dual aim: first, to generate commercial connections between the participating Catalan companies and potential buyers at the event; and second,  project the country's agri-food brand, under the slogan "Catalonia, where food is culture", in order to increase the perceived value of Catalan products through gastronomy.

The New York event featured eight Catalan companies already present in the US market from various sectors, especially wine and cava and fine food, which took part in the product tasting after the workshop: 

• ALEMANY 1879 – Turrón (Noguera)
• CAPITÀ VIDAL – Cava (Alt Penedès)
• CAVA AVINYÓ – Cava (Alt Penedès)
• FREIXENET – Cava (Alt Penedès)
• MI & CU GOURMET – Chocolates (Alt Penedès)
• PARES BALTÀ – Cava (Alt Penedès)
• TORRONS  VICENS – Turrón (Urgell)
• XOCOLATA JOLONCH – Chocolates (Urgell)