Leading chefs from around Andalucía taking part in this year’s Marbella All Stars event are normally the happiest in their kitchen conjuring up new culinary creations. For several hours this week, however, they were drawn out of their comfort zone, handed a golf club and challenged to achieve what so many tormented golfers often fail to do: hit a clean shot over a looming water hazard.
As part of Santa María Golf’s 25th anniversary celebrations, 20 chefs from both local Costa del Sol restaurants and elsewhere in the region gathered first for a quick-fire clinic to introduce them to the basics of the golf swing (for many, the first time they had held a golf club in their hands), before taking part in a light-hearted competition to try to hit two shots over a lake in front of the first tee. A rare few succeeded – understandably.
Later, the chefs headed off in a convoy of buggies to the top part of the course for refreshments and to enjoy stunning views over the coastline, before returning to the clubhouse where they were welcomed by Santa María managing director Ali Saudi and joined by other guests including Marbella deputy mayor Javier Porcuna, Sabor a Málaga’s Leonor García-Agua and leading Marbella chef Diego del Río. Seyni Gueye Dia, manager and head chef of the golf club’s H19 restaurant, and his team had prepared a tasting menu of 20 exquisite dishes especially for the occasion.
