Mystery cuisine at bulthaup Nicolau, Palma de Mallorca

A mystery is something that is hard to understand, something concealed in such a way that it becomes strange and impossible to comprehend.

Encountering mysteries and solving them is an important part of the appeal of certain disciplines, and that of gourmets is hardly impervious to this pleasure. The existence of mysteries is necessary for the satisfaction of discovering what is hidden. Imagine the mystery of being summoned at a certain time and place and seeing where your palate takes you, led by two wizards of professional cuisine: Tomeu Martí, chef at Arume, and Rafa Martín, mixologist at Brassclub, both in Palma de Mallorca.

The meeting place was bulthaup Nicolau, the exquisite kitchen showroom in the heart of Palma’s old quarter, on the Rambla. That was the only detail revealed to the guests of Hidden Kitchen by Chef(s). Participants were given a date–May 8th­–, a time, and the price for partaking in an entirely unusual experience.

Guests were gathered near the venue; twelve exclusive, brave individuals–they had never met until the moment of the secret date. Together they were led down one of the narrow side streets off the Rambla until they reached a door that opened onto a lovely courtyard. There Tomeu Martí awaited them all with an appetizer of olives stuffed with anchovies: an olive bonsai combination that has been around for over forty years.

At the opposite end of the courtyard, Rafa Martín was roasting lemons to let out their sweetest juices, which he then proceeded to mix into an astounding Margarita. Glasses in hand, the guests broke the ice.

Leaving the courtyard behind, they climbed the regal staircase leading to the main floor. All of a sudden, the bulthaup world emerged before them. Each space was a station where they stopped, one after the next, until the evening was complete.  The first station featured Tomeu Martí preparing a roast salmon tartare: a lesson from a master and a marvelous tasting experience.

At the second station, the main dishes entered in full force: it was the beginning   of a sequence of sights, scents, and flavors that the twelve guests are probably   still reminiscing today.

The third station brought the evening to a close… with a gin and tonic.

Can you imagine having Rafa Martín, one of the best mixologists in the world, as your teacher? We’re sure that no gin and tonic will ever seem the same to these guests after they had a chance to mix and taste the one they made with Rafa, each individual following his or her particular preferences.

The experience of discovering and surrendering to the mysterious, hidden gourmet pleasure is not easily forgotten.

http://www.chefsins.com/cocina-oculta-en-bulthaup-nicolau/