To Jose Andres, tapas is an art. That's why the chef and restaurateur holds the title of chef advisor to a tapas-themed art and artifact exhibition coming in January to the former Spanish ambassador's residence on 16th Street NW. "Tapas: Spanish Design for Food" opens Jan. 24, featuring more than 200 artifacts, photographs, videos and installations to teach guests about this delicious part of Spanish culture.
Jose Andres (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)
Andres isn't adding the title of "curator" to his extensive resume, though. He's just helping to guide the exhibition, which has been curated by designer and architect Juli Capella, designer of several of Andres's restaurants, including Minibar. Capella has organized the exhibition according to three elements: A section on the kitchen is about preparation, so you'll see cooking implements like a paella pan; a section on the table is about serving the meal, and will include crockery, cutlery and perhaps a porrón; and a section on the meal looks to be the meatiest part, delving into food design, ingredients and the history and significance of tapas.
And since you'll be hungry afterward, the closest tapas restaurant to the exhibition site is Estadio on 14th Street (with apologies to Andres, whose nearest Jaleo is a mile farther).
"Tapas: Spanish Design for Food" opens Jan. 24 at 2801 16th St. NW. Free. Gallery hours: Wednesday-Friday, 2-6 p.m.; Saturday- Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
