My Passion with Nick Middleton: Raising a glass to the tastes and culture of Spain
My line of work involves some very unsociable hours. While most people are sleeping, I am working, and vice versa.
Yet somehow a nine to five job has never really been something that has appealed to me. I am much more comfortable with the Mediterranean way of life of working, playing and eating late.
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Hide AdI have always loved all things Mediterranean: their attitude to life is just so different from that in Britain.
Time does not seem to be such a controlling factor for people living in the Mediterranean and people always have a smile for everybody and seem outwardly more relaxed. Spain, in particular, has always been a country and culture I have admired and enjoyed.
My passion for all things Spanish plays a big part in
my social life. I often enjoy a glass of Rioja Spanish wine to help me unwind after a long shift.
As head chef and catering manager at one of Sheffield's most prestigious venues, my job is very fast paced, and often stressful, so I love nothing more than to spend my spare time relaxing and embracing the Spanish way of life.
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Hide AdOn my days off I can frequently be found eating at one of my favourite restaurants, La Tasca, a Spanish tapas restaurant on Ecclesall Road.
A perfect night for me would be to eat at La Tasca and then spend the rest of the evening dancing the night away at Cubana. I even indulged in some salsa lessons a couple of years ago.
I've always had a thirst to see the world and have spent considerable time travelling, yet Spain is the country I always return to.
To me, its atmosphere and culture is like nowhere else and I aim to visit Spain and its islands at least twice every year. It helps to keep me to unwind and reduces any Gordon Ramsay-esque tantrums.
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Hide AdThere is a thriving Spanish following and community in Sheffield and I often attend Spanish-themed events with friends and family.
The renowned Buena Vista Social Club visited Sheffield City Hall last year and Napoleons throw a particularly good Spanish party.