Lauded chef Jordi Roca of celebrated El Celler de Can Roca travels to Denver for pop-up dinners

The meal consisted of one of the Roca brothers' most famous dishes, Dig Into the World, where five bites each consisted of flavors inspired by different countries visited on the BBVA Roca Tour in previous years. Also included were suckling pig, prepared by a sous vide technique, vegetable consommé, and a dessert called Lemon Cloud that mimics the scent of perfume. A dessert in the shape of a football was also included at the end of the meal - a nod to the local professional football team. 

12 culinary students from the Metropolitan State University of Denver and the American Culinary Federation Colorado Chefs Association apprenticeship program were given the opportunity to help prepare the dinner, working with Roca's restaurant staff on both nights. Students were chosen by MSU-Denver staff after students gave classroom presentations during the weeks leading up to the event.

Advice and opportunity for the next culinary generation

While in the area, Roca also participated in a class lecture at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he answered questions around technique, his inspiration and his thoughts on the Denver area. He also gave a presentation that touched on his family's background in the culinary world and inspirations for some of his most famous desserts.

On the last night of the dinner, Roca also chose two students who helped with the dinners for a scholarship to include a four month internship at El Celler de Can Roca in 2018. The two winners were Brandon Hart from ACF Colorado Chefs Association and Eosther Fajardo-Anstine from MSU-Denver. The opportunity is the fourth such year where students will work at El Celler de Can Roca in apprentice roles. Similar internships were given to culinary students in San Francisco and Phoenix during the 2016 BBVA Roca Tour.

Denver is the only U.S. visit for Jordi Roca in 2017, while other stops with BBVA in previous years have included:

• Dallas
• Houston
• Birmingham, Ala.
• Miami
• Phoenix
• San Francisco

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SOURCE BBVA Compass