✅ Menorca. On this occasion we leave Majorca, to move to the island of Menorca and look for a key person in the world of Spanish cocktails. Without a doubt we are talking about Joan Canals, the new Hidden Icon.
➕ Joan Canals. Renowned bartender, ambassador of Gin Xoriguer, member of the Balearic Islands’ haute cuisine collective Chefs (In).
▷In a Snapshot
Self-taught, it has been recognized and awarded since its beginnings. He is an ambassador for Gin Xoriguer, our most native and well-known gin from the Balearic Islands in the world, and more recently, he has immersed himself in the world of experiences, giving life to his most personal project: Ulisses. A space dedicated to gastronomy and cocktails, all in one. You will find it in Plaça de la Llibertat, 22 in Ciutadella, Menorca.
#Talking
1-CREATIVITY. What have you done to keep it active?
This confinement has been a time to pause, evaluate, and see how to continue evolving in Ulisses.
On the wine side, we have grown by approaching winemakers, oenologists, and professionals from the wine world and getting closer to the people who know these projects.
In relation to the gastronomic part, we have created, together with my sister Espe who is the head chef, a plan to continue with the local product that is our identity but giving a twist to the dishes to get closer to the people who unfortunately will not be able to spend so much on their gastronomic outings.
And on a personal level I have tried to maintain routines, to be able to create in all the points of my business.
2- YOUR PLAYLIST. The songs that have inspired you in this confinement are…
I have many different artists, depending on my mood, who have accompanied me these days have been Vetusta Morla, Coque Malla, and Ivan Ferreiro, Queen or Joan Dausà for these moments that I seek relaxation.
3- COCKTAIL. Creator of Ulisses, love for the local quality product, how do you see the world of cocktails evolving in recent times?
The world of cocktails has evolved to be able to position itself next to the kitchen, without a doubt the movement of bartenders has been very big at the time of sharing experiences and recipes and this has made the sector grow.
Even so, I think that not all the work that is behind an author’s cocktail, and that is very big, is valued. Combining aromas, colors, flavors… It is very complex and I think there is still a lot of room for improvement at a social level.
4- XORIGUER. As Brand Ambassador for Gin Xoriguer, an icon of the Sant Joan festivities in Menorca, can you tell us if this year you will hold any special virtual event for Sant Joan 2020?
From Xoriguer we will surely launch some plan for the festivities, it is very important for the brand to be able to be close to people in such sad situations as this one, no doubt this year we will also drink Xoriguer and it will help us to be near the people, in these important dates.
5- ULISSES’ RECOMMENDATION. What cocktail and wine do you recommend for this season?
Without a doubt the wines of Menorca will have the most influence on our extensive menu, our philosophy of local products will be even more evident in our proposals. In relation to the cocktail, this season’s menu will be focused on the classics and on the vision we have of them by giving our own twist and also offering our version of each one of them.
✨ Menorca Hidden
Joan Canals, tells us where to eat during a visit to Menorca. The hidden recommendations to enjoy the authenticity of the Minorcan island.
I love the gastronomy and I love to enjoy it in all the establishments of friends of the sector, to put 3 only would be very unfair but where I have more enjoyed the last year has been in Sa Llagosta (Fornells), Ses Forquilles (Maó) and Ca na Pilar (Es Migjorn Gran), undoubtedly they are three temples of product and good work of his teams.
+ HIDDEN ICONS
