Spanish gastronomy takes centre stage as Eat Spain Drink Spain returns to Malaysia

Chef Gabriel Bonin prepares authentic Spanish dishes to be served to guests during the Restaurants From Spain certification ceremony at Barra Restaurant here on September 9. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 12 Sep 2026 9:00 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — Rain and heavy traffic did little to dampen the warm atmosphere inside Barra Restaurant on Wednesday, where Spanish diplomats, chefs, and food lovers gathered to celebrate a shared appreciation for good food.

For Spain’s Ambassador-designate to Malaysia Sergi Farré Salvá, food offers a natural connection between Spain and Malaysia, a country where eating is deeply woven into everyday life.

“One of the first words that we learn when we come here in Bahasa Melayu is makan,” said Farré, who arrived in Malaysia a month ago. “So, we are going to do lots of makan-makan today,” he added, drawing laughter from the guests.

Farré called food a “universal connector” and described his first dining experience at Barra as more than simply a meal.

“It was a cultural experience, an artistic experience,” he said, highlighting the combination of tradition, creativity, and innovation that characterises Spanish gastronomy.

The ambassador-designate is expected to present his credentials to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, in late October or early November this year.

During the event, Farré officially presented the Restaurants From Spain certification plaque to Chef Gabriel Bonin, Chef Ignasi Prats, and the Barra team.

Awarded by the Spanish government through ICEX Spain Trade and Investment, the certification recognises restaurants outside Spain that offer authentic, high-quality Spanish cuisine and promote Spanish culinary products and culture.

Farré said the certification was reserved for outstanding establishments and Barra’s inclusion had brought the number of certified Spanish restaurants in Kuala Lumpur to eight.

“That says a lot about Malaysia and what this capital stands for. Food happens 24 hours a day, seven days a week here. It is a paradise for any food lover,” he said.

A selection of authentic Spanish dishes served to guests during the Restaurants From Spain certification ceremony at Barra Restaurant here on September 9. — Bernama pic

He also stressed that Spain’s culinary reputation was built not only on its centuries-old heritage and the influence of civilisations across the Mediterranean, but also on continuous innovation.

“You cannot have this level of gastronomy without innovation, science, and technology that cooks and chefs like Gabriel and Ignasi bring,” he said.

The Embassy of Spain in Malaysia’s Chief Economic and Commercial Counsellor Juan Guía said the gathering served two objectives: to celebrate Barra’s certification and formally introduce the second edition of the Eat Spain Drink Spain festival in Malaysia.

He said the campaign sought to make Spanish food more accessible to Malaysians while encouraging people to discover it together with their families and friends.

“Spanish gastronomy is known globally for its creativity and diversity, and for being deeply rooted in our history and heritage.

“Eat Spain Drink Spain is about bringing our gastronomy to Malaysia for locals to enjoy and discover with their friends and families,” he said.

The festival, scheduled from Sept 18 to Oct 4, will take place in more than 40 participating venues across Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Johor, Penang, and Kuching.

The embassy’s foreign trade and investment official Andrea Lázaro said participating establishments would offer a variety of experiences, including two-week promotional menus, weekend pop-ups, and one-day tapas events.

Some venues will highlight traditional favourites such as paella, tortilla de patatas, and Basque cheesecake, while others will present more contemporary interpretations of Spanish cuisine.

Lázaro clarified that Eat Spain Drink Spain is a separate initiative from the Restaurants From Spain certification. Eat Spain Drink Spain is an annual international festival organised by ICEX in which restaurants and other venues host their own Spanish food and beverage events.

Barra, which opened in April 2024, is a restaurant under The Tamarind Restaurants group which Guía described as a “piece of Barcelona” in one of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinese neighbourhoods. 

The group’s restaurants and dining concepts in the Kuala Lumpur area were founded and conceptualised by Federico Asaro, chief executive officer and driving force behind Samadhi Retreats.

Guía also credited Prats and Bonin for building Barra’s identity.

Bonin said the certification carried both pride and responsibility for the restaurant’s team.

“We are really proud to be part of the Spanish community, to show Spain to the world and to show our gastronomy,” he said. “It is a big challenge for us, but at the same time, receiving this recognition keeps us giving our best.”