Chef Reinier Suarez Rivera, the Ambassador of Cuba H.E Ms. Soraya E. Álvarez Nuñez and Sous Chef, Claudia Gonzalez Vades.
By Michael Bonté.
After a major storm earlier in the day the sun certainly shone in the Crown Plaza-Promenade Hotel where a new edition of the year long International Food Festival was about to kick off.
Guests where already impatiently buzzing about in front of the entrance to the restaurant. Patrick Aarsman, the General Manager finally opened the proceedings with the words:’ The hotel is very proud in hosting this year long event in cooperation with Diplomat Magazine and in this case the Cuban Embassy’.’ It gives the hotel guests and the citizens of The Hague the opportunity to sample cuisines which they rarely have the chance to sample’.
For additional pictures by Roy Strik, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157689649480112
After these words the speaker introduced the Ambassador of Cuba H.E Ms. Soraya E. Álvarez Nuñez who said that: ” …the Cuban Embassy is very pleased to participate for the first time in the Food Festival.
The Cuban gastronomy is the result of the mix of Spanish, African, Aboriginal, Yucateca and even Asian traditions. Typical Cuban dishes are the Ajiaco, Tamales, Tostones, roasted pork and the Congrí.”
The moment had come to cut the ribbon and the invitees were greeted with Mojito’s and Cuba Libre’s. All this accompanied with Cuban music which was presented by Jorge Martinez Galan, Galan Biz Musica Cubana, an excellent duo interpreting songs in a Buena Vista Social Club style.
Among the guests the Ambassador of Iran, H. E. Dr Alireza Jahangiri, the Ambassador of Yemen, H.E. Ms. Sahar Ghanem, the Ambassador of Pakistan H. E. Mr. Shujjat Ali Rathore, the head of Palestinian Mission, Ms Rawan Sulaiman, the Ambassador of Macedonia, H.E. Mr. Igor Popov, the Ambassador of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Amgad Ghaffar, Russia Charge d’affaires, Minister Counsellor Mr. Boris Zhilko, Venezuela Charge d’affaires, Mr Alvaro Sanchez Cordero.
Once guests were seated the servers presented us with three starters: Mashed Fried Plantain (Tostones), Malanga Fritters (Fritura de Malanga) and Pot Tamal (Tamal en Cazuela). When the dishes were cleared we were invited to help ourselves to the mains at the buffet. The options were two pork dishes, one beef and one fish dish.
Accompanied with several side dishes in which yucca and plantain among others were featured. Especially popular was a classic Cuban dish called ‘Ropa Vieja’ which means literary translated ‘old clothes’. This stew consists of shredded beef, garlic, onions, bay leaf and tomato paste.
The especially flown in Chef Reinier Suarez Rivera who is one of the top young chefs and has won several awards in Young Chef competitions said: “I am very proud to present our national dishes to a wider International audience in The Hague” . Together with his Sous Chef, Claudia Gonzalez Vades, they certainly were cooking up a storm.
For those craving sugar the servers brought out a trio of deserts which consisted of: Flan, Arroz con Leche and Torrejas (crêpes). All very in the fine Latin American cuisine tradition dishes.
Yet another successful edition of the Food Festival. Cuisines you can expect to be presented in future editions range from Georgian to Tunisian, from Hungarian to Mexican. So contact the Crown Plaza to book your seat at the table.
Reservations: info@crowneplazadenhaag.nl
Information about Cuba:
www.cubadiplomatica.cu/holanda
