TRIBUTE TO SIMONE ORTEGA

Friday, March 2, 18:00 h

An outstanding tribute

A few months ago, Barcelona Degusta presented the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA, in its Spanish-language acronym) with the candidacy for the SPAIN FOOD AWARDS of the woman considered to be the top proponent of all things culinary during Spain’s post-Franco-era political transition. It is worth pointing out that three generations of Spaniards learned how to cook using Simone Ortega’s recipes, and that her trademark book, 1.080 recetas de cocina (1,080 Recipes), is in its 48th print run, having sold over 2.4 million copies.

"An entire lifetime dedicated to advising and teaching consumers about good cooking and good cuisine, with special emphasis on the qualilty of national products". This was the argument put forth by the jury at the Spain Food Awards in its decision to award Simona Ortega with the Special Prize in 2006.

In view of Simone Ortega’s great contribution to the culinary world, Barcelona Degusta has decided to go all out in its tribute to the author. And so, on Friday March 2, at 18:00, the Ágoras del Gusto will host a TRIBUTE TO SIMONE ORTEGA.

Prominent chefs and gastronomy experts will be just a few of those emceeing the gala held in Ortega’s honour. Present at the event will be not only the author herself, but also her family, friends and prominent members of Spanish society. And it will be at this moving ceremony that Agriculture Minister Elena Espinosa will present the Spain Special Food Communications Award 2006, in its twentieth edition.

All the author’s publications will be available at the ‘Simone Ortega corner’ in the show’s Gastronomy Bookshop.

More on Simone Ortega

Born in Barcelona, the author is of French origin but has resided in Spain since childhood. She was married to José Ortega Spottorno, the son of José Ortega y Gasset and founder and Honorary President of the newspaper El País until his death in 2001. Her best-known book – and the one which facilitated her entry into gastronomic history –is 1080 recetas de cocina (1080 Recipes), a recipe book published in 1972 which with over two million copies sold, remains a best-seller. To this day, through its clear and straightforward approach, it continues to teach new generations of men and women how to cook.

She inherited her love of cooking from her mother’s side of the family –especially her grandmother – which hailed from the Burgundy region of France.

In 2006 she was the recipient of the French Order of Arts and Letters, a decoration granted by the French government at its embassy in Madrid. According to the author’s words at the ceremony: "More than anything else, cuisine is what has brought France and Spain closer together". Simone Ortega has always been at her readers’ service.

Her work:

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