A Celebration of Spanish Food Heritage
Opening & Brand Partners
On Monday afternoon, Spanish food and hospitality excellence took centre stage at Pura Brasa Singapore for Eat Spain Drink Spain 2025. Organised by the Oficina Económica y Comercial, Embassy of Spain in Singapore, the event began with a warm welcome from Antonio García Rebollar, Consejero Económico y Comercial. Antonio thanked all partners and attendees for coming together to celebrate Spain’s vibrant food heritage. Immediately after, Abraham Díaz Simón, International Trade Advisor, offered appreciation to all the Spanish brands and sponsors who brought flavour, innovation, and authentic products to the festival.
Featured Spanish Brands
Borges – Mediterranean Heritage Since 1896
Borges, established in Tàrrega, Catalonia, has delivered Mediterranean foods of distinction for over 125 years. Their internationally renowned olive oils, nuts, and vinegars are a benchmark of Spanish quality, sustainability, and tradition—now known in over 100 countries globally.
Vianoleo – Extremadura’s Innovation Leaders
Vianoleo, managed by the López Mediero family, blends 200 years of olive-growing expertise with innovation. Their extra virgin olive oils are produced with full traceability from grove to bottle, elevating the oils of Extremadura to new international acclaim.
Isle & Grocer – Ethical Sourcing Excellence
Isle & Grocer connects passionate cooks with the best of Spain’s produce, supporting ethical farming and responsible consumption. Their curated selections highlight the diversity and flavour of Spanish food traditions.
Ecolah – Four Decades of Organic Leadership
Ecolah champions Spanish organic food, bringing over 40 years of family experience in importing sustainable, premium products—from olive oils to vegetables and gourmet seafood—to Singapore’s market.
DAMM – Barcelona’s Brewing Legacy
DAMM, founded in 1876, represents Spanish beer at its best. Their flagship Estrella Damm stands as Barcelona’s taste ambassador to more than 130 global markets, celebrated both in restaurants and at the festival.
H. L. Yong – Singapore’s Spanish Gateway
For over 50 years, H.L. Yong has bridged Spanish producers and Southeast Asian dining. Chief among their imports is Carmencita, Spain’s favourite spice brand and the key to authentic paella and tapas seasoning in Singapore’s kitchens.
ig’sHeaven – Inclusive Gourmet Innovation
With their award-winning “free-from” foods, ig’sHeaven makes Spanish flavour accessible for all. Their allergy-friendly range lets everyone enjoy the bold, exciting tastes of Spain.
Pura Brasa: Spanish Dining
Located in Guoco Tower, Pura Brasa is Singapore’s leading Spanish restaurant, blending contemporary menus with Josper charcoal oven specialities. The décor and grill techniques embody the warmth of Spanish hospitality, while their expertise in grilled meats, seafood, and tapas makes every meal a celebration of Spanish food heritage.
Pinchos & Flavours
At the tasting, Pura Brasa’s chefs presented an irresistible lineup of authentic Spanish pinchos, each representing a unique corner of Spain’s gastronomic map:
- Txaka Pincho: Traditional Basque-style crab salad with crab meat, red onion and pickled cucumber. Fresh, vibrant and true to San Sebastián traditions.
- Pincho de Tapenade: Black Kalamata olive paste, brightened by apple balsamic vinaigrette—showcasing the olive-growing heartlands of Spain.
- Anchoa Ahumada: Confited piquillo pepper, crowned with umami-rich Spanish anchovy—an homage to Andalusia’s perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and salty.
- Pincho de Gamba: Fresh poached prawn with Catalonian escalivada emulsion—evoking the simple, smoky flavours of the Mediterranean coast.
Olive Oil Tasting: Spain’s Finest Liquid Gold
At the event’s heart was an olive oil workshop for 25 invitees—a hands-on journey through Spain’s world-leading olive oil production (accounting for close to 45% of all global output). Spain is not only the world’s largest producer, but also a trendsetter for quality, sustainability, and regional styles.
What We Tasted & Learned
- Arbequina (e.g., Llàgrimes del Canigó Auream Picual): Early October green harvest. Fresh, green, fruity with almond, tomato stem, banana peel, wild flowers and a punch of thyme. Subtle pepper on the finish. Ideal for breakfast toast, seafood, and gazpacho.
- Picual: From Catalonia’s Serra de l’Albera, these Picual oils showed softer, rounder, greener tones than southern styles. Aromas of cut grass, ripe fruit, artichoke, green almond, and tomato leaf.
- Coupage Blends: Arbequina & Manzanilla Cacereña (75/25 and 25/75 ratios) from Extremadura impressed with sweet apple, banana, grassy notes, and outstanding balance between gentle bitterness and smooth, spicy length.
- First cold-extracted blends: Mild, fruity, perfectly poised for dressings and versatile Spanish cookery. Certified organic, Halal, Kosher, Vegan—demonstrating Spain’s inclusive food tradition.
Participants learned to assess three official olive oil qualities: fruitiness, bitterness, and pungency. Expert hosts explained sensory technique, glassware, and how early harvests preserve the highest antioxidant levels.
The guided tasting drove home Spain’s status as the world’s olive oil capital—innovative, sustainable, and always delicious.
What’s Next: ESDS 2025 Festival Highlights
This Pura Brasa event was just one part of the island-wide Eat Spain Drink Spain 2025 programme—bringing Spanish flavour to food lovers at every corner of Singapore:
- Butcher Box (20 September): Ecolah’s organic delicacies and premium Spanish meats.
- Isetan Scotts (27 September): Tapas and olive oil masterclass, with gazpacho, scallops in Galician sauce, and more.
- Ryan’s Grocery (28 September): Mahón cheese, piquillo peppers, yellowfin tuna and a Vianoleo olive oil session—plus instore gift offers.
- Little Farms Katong (3 October): “Black & White” Vianoleo EVOO blend masterclass, with recipe demos and goodie bags.
- Little Farms Bar & Grill Serangoon (3–4 October): Spanish-themed set menu: pan con tomate, octopus carpaccio, paella, ribeye, more.
- Olivia Restaurant & Lounge (12 October): Devour Spain’s brunch classics—jamón, cheese, seafood stew, suckling pig, desserts, wine and more.
- Nómada (19 September): One night of Ibérico “Noche de Jamón”—sixty-month-aged, acorn-fed Spanish ham with El Olivo and FISAN.
- Premium Dining Offers: Taste Spain at Haus Cheesecake & Wine, The Feather Blade, Moxie, Famous Treasure, Yakiniquest, Cudo, My Little Spanish Place, Deviate, and Movida Restaurant—all with special Spanish menus and wine selections during ESDS 2025.
- Retailers: Isetan Scotts (10% Spanish foods & gifts), El Olivo Shop (four-product bundles, 10% online discount).