The Costa Brava region of Spain is celebrating its gastronomy heritage once again with the announcement of Jordi Roca, the youngest of the three brothers that oversee seminal Catalan restaurant El Celler de Can Roca, as the first ever 'World's Best Pastry Chef', the newest category within the World's Best Restaurant awards portfolio.
Of the eccentric but modest pastry genius' latest accolade, the World's Best Restaurant website - http://www.theworlds50best.com/awards/best-pastry-chef - states: "In a country that's not short of illustrious dessert specialists, Jordi Roca's name rings out thanks to his finely constructed plates that embody extraordinary levels of ambition, skill and attention to detail, for which the award of this new title was difficult to dispute."
Now officially regarded as one of the top dessert experts on the culinary scene, Jordi Roca has experimented extensively with perfumes - recreating famous fragrances in edible form and launching his own avant-garde scent based on a lemon dessert. His signature Campari and grapefruit juice, delicately sealed into a cocoa butter-covered bonbon that explodes on contact with the mouth is another revolutionary creation that fuses textures and tastes, radicalising the culinary world.
Only in his mid-30s, the pastry chef is also the driving force behind Rocambolesc, an alternative but affordable ice cream and sweet shop that opened in the centre of Girona in 2012, offering eccentric flavours, such as the Girona apple with local Ripollesa sheep's milk, with equally unconventional toppings. A second shop followed in the nearby seaside resort of Platja d'Aro, with more in the pipeline.
Ramón Ramos, Director of Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board, added: "Jordi has been dubbed 'a pastry pioneer' and 'developer of original techniques', and we are proud to have him flying the flag for our region's world-renowned gastronomy.
"With demand for reservations at El Celler de Can Roca remaining so high, Jordi's Rocambolesc brings his sublime creations to a wider audience, and I would definitely recommend golfers with a sweet tooth visiting the Costa Brava this summer stop by his gelateria to sample and experience the Michelin-starred chef's sweet sensations."
Located an hour north of Barcelona and easily accessible thanks to Girona-Costa Brava Airport, an important Ryanair hub, the region is home to the highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants - 20 within 5.9 sq kms - including the three-starred El Celler de Can Roca, and many prestigious golf resorts offering high quality accommodation.
Golfers looking to enhance their breaks by combining a visit to this gastronomic capital with great golf experiences should consider:
- PGA Golf Catalunya Resort's Stadium Course, Spain's No.1 golf course and World Top 100 venue that will host its third Open de Espana in 2014
- Club Golf d'Aro Mas Nou with spectacular vistas from its 300m above sea-level perch
- The region's oldest course, Club de Golf Costa Brava that offers a good test for all standards of player
- Golf Girona, the only course in Spain sown entirely with Penncross grass
- Torremirona Golf Club that enjoys wonderful views of the Pyrenees
- Club de Golf Peralada with its environmentally-friendly design through natural surroundings
- British-designed Golf Platja de Pals
- The 36-hole Empordà golf and hotel complex which provides a different test of skill with a striking Pyrenean backdrop
- Par 3 Gualta, ideal for those looking for a quick round or to fine-tune their short game skills
Additional information on Costa Brava can be found at www.costabrava.org and http://en.costabrava.org/what-to-do/golf.
