Sam Zucker

Freelance Writer, Gastronomic Tour Guide, Wine Educator, Social Media Professional

Spain,ES

Sam is originally from Boston, MA. USA. He studied writing, ecology and Spanish language during his undergraduate degree at Hampshire College (Amherst, MA). He then went on to train as a chef at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park, NY) and earn an introductory certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2013.

He currently lives in Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain and works as a culinary tour operator, wine educator, Social Media agency professional, and freelance food/travel writer for several outlets.

Portfolio

Culinary Backstreets

Zucker & Spice Travel
Portfolio Has Moved

Find Sam Zucker's Writing Portfolio, Photography Portfolio, Food Tours, and Blog here

Culinary Backstreets
06/10/2015
In Lleida, The World's Largest Snail-Eating Festival

Each year at the end of May, more than 12,000 penyistes and 200,000 hungry visitors devour 12 tons of snails in one mere weekend in the city of Lleida, the capital of Catalonia's interior. The Aplec del Caragol ("Snail Gathering") is now an internationally known gastronomic event of impressive magnitude.

Culinary Backstreets
03/23/2015
The Catalonian Salad Trail

In the windy coastal region south of Barcelona, surrounded by the wide vineyards of Baix Penedès, entire families are decked out in winter gear and ready to eat...some salad! In the late 19th century, the word xató (pronounced "sha-TOH") first appeared in writing in the Catalan press.

Culinary Backstreets
01/15/2015
A Chef's Favorite in El Raval

Chefs and dedicated diners throughout Barcelona are thrilled to proclaim, "Bar 68 is reborn!" For more than 10 years, this well-known and well-worn dive bar has served locals and travelers alike. Under new ownership, the old favorite has been refreshed with new staff, an appealing new menu and some of the best cocktails in the city.

Culinary Backstreets
02/04/2015
Leche de Pantera: Panther Milk in Old Barcelona

It's one of those culinary mysteries worthy of a good detective: namely, how did a drink the color of Pepto-Bismol become one of Barcelona's most iconic libations? The story begins around 1975, when the bar La Barretina - then a hot spot, now long gone - began serving leche de pantera ("Panther Milk").

Barcelona Metropolitan Magazine

(barcelona-metropolitan.com)
05/28/2015
Come Dine With Me (PRINT)

Every weekend, my Facebook feed floods with events around Barcelona that offer plentiful food, drink and fun. So many, in fact, that residents who might normally flee the city on Saturday mornings find themselves tempted to stick around and sample the never-ending flow of new and exciting ways that the city's community is making eating social.

(barcelona-metropolitan.com)
03/26/2015
Beyond Fish and Rice (PRINT)

Of all the Chinese foreign nationals currently residing in Spain, 70 percent are from Zhejiang. The province is also known as the 'Land of Fish and Rice', which seems a fitting connection to both their immigrant home and the fact that food service is still their number one business pursuit when they arrive in Barcelona.

(barcelona-metropolitan.com)
02/01/2015
How to...Throw a Calçotada (PRINT)

Between late January and the end of April, calçots are hard to miss in Barcelona, and beyond. Eating calçots (large, sweet spring onions), grilled meat and sausages in huge excess, with plenty of salvitxada (a sauce similar to Romesco), washed down with copious streams of red wine, is a much anticipated event during the coldest months of the year.

(barcelona-metropolitan.com)
01/12/2015
New In Town: El Nacional (PRINT)

The mantra at El Nacional is "products from the peninsula". This grandiose shrine to the foods of Spain, Portugal and Southern France now occupies a massive building on Passeig de Gràcia, just above Plaça Catalunya.

Barcelona-metropolitan
11/26/2014
From Seed to Cup—The Third Wave of Coffee Culture is Breaking in Barcelona (PRINT)

Everyone in this industry would love to open their own little coffee corner," says Elisabet Sereno, National Coordinator of Spain for the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE). "But it's not easy." Elisabet has recently opened True Artisan Café coffee shop in Barcelona, just steps from the Arc de Triomf.

Barcelona-metropolitan
09/30/2014
History Under Foot: The Saga of the Stones that Paved Barcelona (PRINT)

Of the countless steps that can be taken through the alleyways and avenues of Barcelona, how many are contemplated in terms of their historical significance? Some of the most subtle history of Modernista Barcelona is not in the obsessive details of the towering Sagrada Familia, nor in the undulating façades of the decadent monoliths of Passeig de Gràcia.

Barcelona-metropolitan
06/01/2014
Vermouth's new golden age (PRINT)

Head to one of Barcelona's many vermut bars and enjoy the revival of this trend that goes far deeper than what's in the glass. If you live in Barcelona and enjoy drinking during daylight hours, it is nearly impossible for the resurgence of the vermouth culture to have passed you by unnoticed.

Barcelona-metropolitan
02/13/2014
Restaurant Review: Ramen-Ya Hiro (PRINT)

We waited outside while those before us, one by one, wedged themselves into open seats, my hunger and anticipation building as I perused the relatively straight-forward, 'build your own noodle bowl' menu. Finally two spots opened up at the low bar, giving us a front-row view of the equally small kitchen and the giant pot of simmering, meaty broth that could practically double as a hot tub.

Barcelona-metropolitan
02/13/2014
Restaurant Review: Bismilla Kebabish (PRINT)

The well-known street is working-class by day and trend-setting by night, with bold graffiti as the backdrop; shouting neighbours and skateboard wheels on concrete its soundtrack. However, one thing that brings the starkly contrastingly denizens of the upper-Raval together is the hands-down consensus that kebabs are delicious and that the best come from Bismilla Kebabish-a 100 percent Halal, Turkish and Pakistani restaurant that boasts over a decade of success.

Barcelona-metropolitan
01/01/2014
Chefs behind the bar—The Art of Seasonal Cocktails in Barcelona (PRINT)

The creative potential of Barcelona's own bartender corps is just beginning to blossom. With several hours of detailed, daily prep and an arsenal of tools and gadgets rivaling that of their chef-coated brethren, bartenders here are fast approaching the prestige awarded to their counterparts in craft cocktail meccas such as San Francisco, London, New York, Paris and Tokyo.

Barcelona-metropolitan
10/28/2013
Upholding Traditions. Artisan Foods of Barcelona (PRINT)

According to research carried out at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona's market culture was much more resilient in withstanding the post-World War II proliferation of modern shopping centres than neighbouring France and the UK.

Barcelona-metropolitan
10/28/2013
Restaurant Review: A Handful of Flavour (PRINT)

La Taguara Arepería: The Venezuelan-style arepas of La Taguara are thick, baked corn cakes that are re-warmed to order, sliced open and spread lovingly with soft butter before being stuffed with a wide array of traditional Venezuelan ingredients. "This isn't fusion," says co-owner Juan Ignacio who, though Basque by birth, has spent the majority of his life in Venezuela.

Barcelona-metropolitan
10/28/2013
Restaurant Review: Mercat Princesa (PRINT)

Though the variety of food offerings at Mercat Princesa (which, for lack of a better description, is a gourmet food-court the likes of which are rarely seen) is impressive, what first grabs the diner's attention is the Gothic building in which it is housed.

Barcelona-metropolitan
08/29/2013
Restaurant Review: L'Eggs (PRINT)

An ingredient that chefs swoon over for its velvety yolk and naturally-ingenious versatility, eggs are often used as a final coup de grâce to push a dish over the edge from intelligently designed to indulgently enlightened. As one who has been accused of 'putting an egg on everything', all I can say is, "Why not?"

Barcelona-metropolitan
08/08/2013
Restaurant Review: Llamber (PRINT)

Upon entering the well-lit glass and stone space--built in 1890-you encounter the timber and brick bar with its high, minimalistic tables set against a wall of softly back-lit, rough wooden planks. Many architectural accents at Llamber seek to fit into the nook of 'repurposed' chic.

CataVino.Net

Catavino | Spanish wine, Portuguese wine and a whole lot more
05/26/2015
Spanish Brandy, Cognac could only hope to be so smooth!

"Claret is the liquor for boys; port, for men; but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy ...There are, indeed, few who are able to drink brandy. That is a power rather to be wished for than attained."

Catavino | Spanish wine, Portuguese wine and a whole lot more
04/27/2015
10 Best Terraces for Summer in Barcelona

Nothing is more desirable in Barcelona than that perfectly-sun-splashed table on the tiny terrace in the charming plaça that seems perpetually occupied. It may not seem like it, but people do eventually pay their bill and leave, you just must be patient.

Catavino | Spanish wine, Portuguese wine and a whole lot more
04/13/2015
Five Small Towns in Spain that Every Foodie Needs to Visit

Your visit to Spain need not take on the predictable pace of one city on Tuesday, then bolting to a new city on Wednesday, with one too many museums (and perhaps a little party island hastily thrown in at the end to catch a quick sunburn) before jetting back to cooler climates.

Catavino | Spanish wine, Portuguese wine and a whole lot more
03/23/2015
How the Moors Influenced the Cuisine of Spain

With every bite of their Sunday paella, Spanish families-whether they realize it or not-are paying homage to the old Moorish kingdom of Al-Ándalus, one of the greatest civilizations that Iberia has ever known. How did this relationship evolve?

Catavino | Spanish wine, Portuguese wine and a whole lot more
01/28/2015
Give this Super Bowl Sunday's appetizers a Spanish twist!

Football in New England and football in Barcelona don't really see eye to eye. Both teams have their fanatic fans and both sports are filled with epic moments of glory and bitter moments of defeat, but in Spain there are always two questions: "Do people really watch the Super Bowl just for the adverts?

Catavino | Spanish wine, Portuguese wine and a whole lot more
01/14/2015
The Jamón Experience: Tasting Spanish Ham in Barcelona on a Budget

Unless you fancy yourself a bit of a sweet talker, convincing a vendor at Barcelona's world-famous La Boqueria market to sell you just one slice each of six different kinds of jamón isn't likely to happen.

Catavino
10/23/2014
Heading on a Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela? Let us guide your appetite!

The city of Santiago de Compostela is really more of a town than a city. It's small, yet bustling with university students, locals, tourists, and-of course-road-weary pilgrims soaking up the glory of a long road traveled. The Camino de Santiago is the city's biggest claim to fame-a Medieval pilgrimage taken for centuries by Christians to the final resting place of Saint James.

Catavino
11/26/2014
Learn how to make sumptuous Spanish Turkey for Thanksgiving!

In Catalunya, though game birds are popular in the realm of classic cuisine, the humble rotisserie chicken (pollastre a l'ast) is deeply revered. Salty, crunchy, and incredibly moist, these whole-roasted chickens (a l'ast roughly translates to "spit-roasted" in Catalan) are synonymous with Sunday family gatherings and classic restaurants throughout Barcelona.

Catavino
09/10/2014
Where can you find Amazing Live Music in Barcelona!?

Barcelona is known for many things, among them art, history, industry, tradition, trade, food (of course), and night life. The Barcelona locals, as well as party-hungry tourists, have an international reputation for doing everything a bit later in the evening than their other European counterparts.

Catavino
Want to eat by the beach in Barcelona? We tell you what not to miss!

First things first: Barcelona is NOT a city where you can walk into any random restaurant and expect an "at least decent" meal. Yes, this food Mecca is full of amazing cuisine, culture, craftsmanship, tradition and innovation; however, it's also full of businesses (restaurants and otherwise) that are operated with the sole purpose of capturing tourist dollars by selling inferior products at a brutal markup (troubling, I know, but true).

Catavino
Hidden Factory: The Clandestine Restaurant Movement in Barcelona

Chef Javier Morón and business partner Sergi Salguero have joined the slowly growing cadre of gourmands and entrepreneurs who bring their passion for food and service directly to the public of Barcelona in the form of underground—“clandestine”— restaurants.

Catavino
History of Jazz in Catalunya, Spain

Welcome to the Vi Jazz festival in Vilafranca del Penedés: balmy summer nights, free Jazz concerts galore, and abundant local wine in the historic center of this modest Catalán city of around 40,000 inhabitants. Dating back to the 12th century, Vilafranca is the economic engine and heart of the Penedés wine industry.

Catavino
02/14/2014
A Luxurious Day of Food, Wine and Romance in Barcelona

The heart of the city is small and best seen on foot, and as you walk hand in hand along avenues that have seen over two millennia of romance—among flower stalls and medieval archways—you too will surely carve your own, lasting moment into the history of Barcelona. Fore this is a city that vibrates with countless love stories and majestic visages of mighty empires come and gone.

Catavino
Bar Cañete: Fun Fine Dining in Barcelona

To find Bar Cañete, head down a bleak street branching off the Ramblas of Barcelona into the heart of the lower Raval. Among Russian import markets, used cell phone stores and corner groceries, Bar Cañete and Cañete Mantel (the fine dining side of the same kitchen) stand strong as bright spots for people in search for excellent, honest food and a convivial atmosphere in these less-than-vibrant economic times.

Catavino
Catalan Recipe: Bacalao with Samfaina

Samfaina is a dish that truly embodies the simplicity of mediterranean cooking; a preparation remarkable similar to the famous, humble ratatouille of Provence. However, Samfaina passes on the powerful herbs of its neighbor to the north, instead relying more on the subtle qualities of local produce, delicate olive oil, and the fond of sautéed salt cod in the case of this classic recipe, Bacallà amb Samfaina.

Catavino
Interview with Barcelona Food Journalist and Author: Tara Stevens

Editor's Note: Tara Stevens is a well known name in the Barcelona food world, both by expatriate readers of the popular English-language magazine Barcelona Metropolitan, as well as by locals who hound her incessantly for a review of their new joint. Knowing Tara personally, it's funny to me when she comes up in conversation.

Catavino
Top 20 Gastronomic Gems In Barcelona

The idea of creating a list of 'the best' of anything can often incite passionate debate bordering on fanaticism, so lets view this a list of 'things not to be missed"-a list of my 20 food and drink treasures in Barcelona, and where to look for them! ¡...

Catavino
Visit Barcelona's five most interesting wine bars!

There are thousands of bars in Barcelona, and though wine is an integral part of Iberian culture-cultivation of grapes and vinification date back to before the Roman conquest of Hispania by Caesar Augustus-it is actually no easy task to find a bar in this city with a diverse list of fine wines by the glass.

Catavino
El Pecat: A Sinfully Good Restaurant in Barcelona

The slogan of new Barcelona restaurant E l Pecat is 'Art and Cuisine'; an honest motto that is upheld by reserved yet delicious food. El Pecat is sinfully good (hence the name; 'The Sin' in Catalan), with a passionate team of dynamic partners and a young chef who is poised to become the next big name.

Catavino
Catalunya: The Craft Beer Hot Spot of Spain!

Beer in Barcelona falls into two categories: cheap lagers for which people hold strong allegiances (locality wins over flavor), and artisanal, complex ales that are harder to find on a night out, more fun for hops enthusiasts, and certainly not sold from plastic bags in the corner of Plaça Reial.

Catavino
Vermouth in Barcelona: The past and present of a delicious aperetivo culture

What is vermouth? Well, let's start with what vermouth is not. Vermouth is not only a supporting role to classic cocktails, nor is it the dry, bitter stuff that languished away in Mom and Dad's liquor cabinet, only to be drunk in secret by soon-to-be rueful teens when left alone at home for the weekend.

Fox News. Leisure

Foxnews
11/13/2012
Equip your first kitchen for under $200

After you move into your new apartment, the next step is to furnish and equip it with everything that will make it a home. Today, we'll get your kitchen ready. With the kitchen, the key is collecting a handful of multipurpose tools that can be used in a wide array of food preparations.

My First Apartment.Com

Myfirstapartment
Sam's 5 Pro Tips To Make You A Better Cook | My First Apartment

Ask yourself: Does cooking seem like too much of a hassle? Do you think of dinner as an event that requires hours of tedious preparation? Do you not cook because the food you make just isn't very tasty? Do you wait until your chef friends come around to suggest a group dinner?

Myfirstapartment
10/13/2013
How to Be a Stellar Couch Guest

One of the best things about being a young adult without major commitments (marriage, career, mortgage, school, etc.) is your ability to travel. Take advantage while you can! Travel is without a doubt much more expensive than it was in the time of the beat poets or the era of Parisian bohemians, but staying with friends or local hosts is a great way to lighten the financial load of your journey.

Myfirstapartment
Sam's Simple Spanish Picnic | My First Apartment

As the summer weather and city-wide events have begun to take full effect in NYC (as well as in my current local of Barcelona, Spain!), the sun, music, outdoor film showings, and plush green grass are far too inviting to spend your evenings indoors.

Myfirstapartment
Sam's Tips About Moving Abroad | My First Apartment

For years I fantasized about picking up and shipping off across the sea to Europe; a one way ticket and an unforgettable experience. People would ask me, "Where do you want to go after (culinary) school?" "To Spain!" I would reply. This all started years ago before ever going to the Culinary Institute of America.

Myfirstapartment
11/25/2013
Add Potato Pancakes and Kale to Your Thanksgiving Feast

For lovers of food-centric holidays and holy days, this November is extra special. For the first time in nearly 100 years, and the last time for 70,000 years, the dates of the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving coincide. What does this mean? More food to eat, and more things to be thankful for!

Myfirstapartment
07/24/2013
Homemade Peach Pie 101

Talk to anyone over 50, and they will likely tell you (depending on where they were raised) that "neighbors" aren't what they used to be. Growing up in the 50s and 60s, my mother and father knew their neighbors because they were all part of a community.

Myfirstapartment
01/10/2013
Beat the Cold with Sam's Five Onion Soup

With the winter weather closing in, soup sales are up and salad sales are down at the on-campus restaurants here are the Culinary Institute of America. Nothing is better on a cold day than a hearty, heart-warming bowl of homemade soup!

Myfirstapartment
11/25/2013
More Work from My First Apartment

Sam is originally from Boston, MA. He studied ecology and Spanish language during his undergraduate degree at Hampshire College (Amherst, MA). He then went on to train as a chef at the prestigious ...