For the Love of Spanish Food – A Feast with Omar Allibhoy – At a recent press event, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting the incredibly talented and wonderfully charismatic Spanish chef, Omar Allibhoy. If you’ve not heard of him before, let me introduce you to a man who brings sunshine, warmth, and vibrant flavour to every dish he touches.
We gathered to celebrate the launch of his latest cookbook, Spanish Made Easy – Simple Modern Recipes for Every Day, published by Quadrille and now available on Amazon. In partnership with the food-loving team at unearthed®, Omar presented us with a beautifully curated menu featuring some of the delicious dishes showcased in his new book. Each bite felt like a journey through Spain’s culinary soul.
The menu was a real treat for the senses – starting with Banderillas (those perfectly pickled skewers), followed by Carpaccio de Atún (tuna carpaccio), Ensalada de Sandía (a refreshing watermelon salad with tomato and queso), Tosta de Higos con Jamón (a delightful balance of sweet figs and salty ham), and Sepia con Chorizo (cuttlefish and chorizo – rich, smoky, and full of depth). We also enjoyed Torreznos con Mojo Dulce, Arroz del Senyoret (a seafood rice dish with everything conveniently peeled), and finished with the sweet and aromatic Melocotones al Muscatel – a dreamy peach dessert soaked in muscatel wine.
Each dish, created using ingredients inspired by Omar’s travels and heritage, was brought to life with passion and authenticity—and the same can be said of the people behind unearthed®, who partnered on this event.
Founded in 2008, unearthed® was born from a love of travel and a desire to bring foodie discoveries home to the UK. Starting with just three lines of olives, they quickly grew a loyal following thanks to their commitment to sourcing the best quality ingredients, from the most passionate producers, at an accessible price. Their motto? Bringing holidays home.
Whether it’s the tastiest chorizo coins from Spain or the perfect Pastel de Nata from Portugal, unearthed® lets you enjoy flavours from around the world without ever leaving your kitchen. They focus on the magic trio of food, people, and place, celebrating producers who are often carrying on family traditions in regions where quality and knowledge have been passed down through generations. Over the years, they’ve introduced UK consumers to delicious innovations like Chorizo Meatballs, Surimi Rings, Garlic Prawns on skewers, and even niche finds like Calabrian ‘Nduja.
And what better collaborator for this celebration of Spanish cuisine than Omar, a chef whose love for his country’s food is as vibrant as the dishes he creates?
Beyond the book, Omar offers a hands-on cooking workshop and lunch experience in his North London home. This five-hour immersive session covers recipes from every corner of Spain. You’ll cook in pairs and as a group, with Omar guiding you through each step, sharing tricks of the trade, stories behind the dishes, and a deep appreciation for Spanish culinary history. After cooking, you’ll sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labour, with a chance to purchase signed copies of his books and take-home printed recipes to recreate the feast.
In Omar’s own words:
“My passion for Spanish food is really at the heart of everything I do… I grew up in a big family that gathered weekly without fail – I think sharing so much food made me a restaurateur. I always wanted to open restaurants where people could get together, enjoy great food and celebrate, just as we love doing.”
Whether you’re looking to host a Spanish-themed dinner party, improve your cooking skills, or simply bring a taste of Spain into your home, Spanish Made Easy is a wonderful place to start. And thanks to unearthed®, your next holiday might just begin at the dinner table.
Spanish Made Easy by Omar Allibhoy is available now on Amazon. Published by Quadrille.
Discover unearthed® at www.unearthed.co.uk – Bringing holidays home.
Poppy Watt