Flavors of Spain at The Dalí: A Culinary Series Celebrating Art, Culture, and Cuisine
When art and gastronomy intersect, magic happens. That’s the heart of the Flavors of Spain dinner series at The Salvador Dalí Museum — and UDREAM EVENTS is proud to help bring each course, each ambiance, each story to life.
Over the course of the series, Tampa Bay’s finest chefs have been invited to reinterpret the diverse culinary heritage of Spain, weaving in regional flavors, creative presentation, and drink pairings — all in the evocative, surreal setting of The Dalí. Each evening is more than dinner: it’s an immersive, sensory journey.
Below, we look back on the highlights — and build excitement for the final installment coming November 18.
A Taste of the Series: Highlights from Each Dinner
May 6, 2025 — Chef Josh Werksman (Lilac @ The Edition)
The series opened with a bold statement. Chef Josh Werksman, known for his refined Mediterranean and farm-to-table approach, led a multi-course menu that celebrated coastal influence, seasonal ingredients, and Spanish tradition.
Each course was paired with Spanish wines (e.g. Bodegas Manzanos, Rioja) and styled with theatrical flair in the museum’s gallery.
This opening evening set the standard: elevated cuisine, artistic presentation, and a clear link between Spanish culinary roots and Dalí’s own artistic spirit.
July 29, 2025 — Chef Chris Artrip (The Black Pearl)
Chef Artrip brought a blend of tradition and bold flavor to the second dinner. As Executive Chef at The Black Pearl, he is renowned for his attention to detail, global inspirations, and technical mastery.
Each course was paired with complementary Spanish wines and served in the dramatic museum setting.
Chef Artrip’s evening drew acclaim for marrying bold ingredients with subtle technique, and for its seamless flow in the gallery’s ambiance.
September 9, 2025 — Chef Rob Reinsmith (Wild Child)
The third dinner in the series spotlighted Chef Rob Reinsmith from Wild Child in St. Petersburg. Known for his energetic flavor combinations and regional sensibility, he offered a Spanish menu infused with local Gulf-coast freshness.
While full menu details are more limited in public listings, the structure remained consistent: a multi-course tasting menu, paired drinks, and artistic service in the museum’s galleries.
Chef Reinsmith’s contribution reinforced the theme of the series — that Spain, like Florida, is coastal, vibrant, and alive with possibility.
What’s Next: November 18, 2025 — Chef Chuck Bandel (Café Gala at The Dalí)
Now, the grand finale. Chef Chuck Bandel will helm the last Flavors of Spain dinner. This event promises to bring the series full circle—inside the museum’s own Café Gala—and deliver an ambitious, deeply personal tasting menu experience. Salvador Dalí Museum+1
Chef Bandel’s influences include Catalan cooking, Spanish master kitchens (Miramar, Martín Berasategui), and hands-on “stages” in Spain, which inform his bold yet elegant style.
The announced 8-course menu includes:
- Roasted Beets with herbed sheep’s cheese, spiced pistachio, mojo verde
- Cantabria Anchovy Toast with tomato tartar & micro basil
- Pyrenees Mushroom Croquettes with truffle aioli and caviar
- Chistorra & Idiazabal Albondigas with arugula almond pesto
- Grilled Octopus Pipirrana
- Sea Bass al Plancha, with pumpkin mousse & acorn squash
- Catalan Beef Cheek with heirloom carrot
- Basque Cheesecake served with cava rosé & roasted strawberry
Drink pairings, which will be announced soon, will accompany each course. Seating is limited and pre‑assigned, and there will be no menu modifications.
It’s a bold, ambitious close to a series that has already celebrated culinary art in dialogue with visual art.
Why Flavors of Spain Matters — And Why You Should Be There
- Cultural Dialogue: The series bridges Salvador Dalí’s Spanish roots with Florida’s vibrant creative community—exploring how food, art, and sense intersect.
- Local Chefs, Global Vision: Each chef brings their own voice, telling stories through ingredients, technique, and presentation.
- Curated Exclusivity: These dinners are limited-seating, by-ticket events in a museum setting — emphasizing intimacy, precision, and immersive design.
- Cross-Disciplinary Experience: Beyond the food, you get ambiance, pairing, musical or atmospheric elements, and the surreal backdrop of Dalí’s art.
Your Invitation to the Final Table
If you missed one of the earlier dinners, this is your chance to experience the culmination:
📅 November 18, 2025 • 7:00pm – 9:30pm
📍 The Salvador Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg
🎟 Tickets: $225 for members / $250 for non-members
🔗 Reserve early — seats are extremely limited.
Expect innovation, elegance, and a feast for all the senses. Chef Bandel’s menu is set to push boundaries while honoring tradition. It’s more than a dinner—it’s the finale of a conversation between Spain and St. Pete, between art and flavor.
Don’t miss it.
