The end of El Bulli as we know it

Tomorrow, Saturday, the very last meal at Spanish El Bulli will be served. El Bulli has been awarded the World's Best Restaurant several times. There are two reasons why this restaurant is so famous; its groundbreaking gastronomy, and the fact that it is almost impossible to get a table. Rumor has it that almost two million people tried to book a table this year.

El Bulli will open again in 2014, not as a restaurant but as a creative centre. Whoever wants to try the Adriàs brothers food can instead visit the newly opened Tapas bar Tickets in Barcelona, or have som snacks from El Bulli at Cocktail bar 41°.*

"Most dishes you eat with the fingers. Not once during the dinner is the table set with knives and forks"*

I was there a couple of years ago with some friends. Thanks to the General Manager at wonderful Alva Park we managed to get a table. Even though El Bulli now closes, the area around Alva Park in Costa Brava is still where most of the fine gourmet restaurants are situated. Select Collection will be happy to book a table when you book your trip with us.

From mid of next week you can read more about our new VIP card with Concierge Service that will be unique to our most valued clients.

Upon my visit, I received this beautiful book "A day at El Bulli" as a gift

Rose Leaf Carpaccio

El Bulli is situated on the Costa Brava coast, 170 km north of Barcelona. The restaurant has not changed since the first time Ferran Adria came here. The same balks in the ceiling and the same rustic athmosphere exist today.

*Text and some pictures from DI weekend, 2011-07-29





An Egyptian Evening

Last night I was invited to the Embassy of Egypt for a Buffet Reception. It was a very nice evening with great company and nice food.

Select Collection has wonderful properties in Egypt, such as Four Seasons Sharm el Sheikh, Four Seasons Hotel Cairo and cruise options on the Nile.

The hosts of the evening; the Ambassador couple

My friend Julia joined me this evening

My beautiful friend Kanthi who is President of International Women's Club

A large Egyptian buffet with lots of sweets

Farao's watching

The Ambassador's Villa



A tent full of guests and nice food

It was a lovely Swedish summer night



One Minute of Silence

Picure* from the main square in Oslo where thousands of people have left flowers and farewell messages. 

Today at 12:00 noon the Scandinavian countries had a silent minute to honour the victims of the horrible attack in Oslo. So did we at Select Collection. Today we send our warmest thoughts to the people of Norway.

*This picure is from DN 2011-07-25

  

Cashew

I always liked cashew nuts and after one week in Grenada in June, I'm almost addicted.

Step one ; the cashew is green

The cashew is getting ready hanging in its apple

Ready to pick

Only one nut at a time so If you find the price of cashew a bit high, here is the reason.

The cashews in Grenada are delicious

I'm making dinner tonight and I must admit that the cashews with sea salt from Estrella are quite nice!

-- Post From My iPhone

A White Farwell

To Alla,

Only when you drink from the river of Silence, you can really sing.

Only when you reach the top of the mountain you can start the climb.

Only when you return your body to Earth, you can truly dance.

"Kahlil Gibran"

Thank you for the moments you touched my heart as a mother, which I miss.

Love, Leija

Alla, the mother of my good friend Julia, was not only a valued client but also a great admirer of Select Collection. The first time we met was more than 10 years ago at Four Seasons George V in Paris, a hotel that we both love.

Julia and her husband Garman had arranged a beautiful funeral ceremony all in white

Thank you

Full moon party with great company!







Thank you dear friends for the lovely cake, presents and all the messages I got on my birthday the 16 of July.

Feels good to be back from all the traveling. The photoshooting for the new Select Collection has been very successful and I'm positive that all our valued clients and close partners will be very proud to feel part of it when we launch the new program in March next year.

Photoshooting starts...

Today a few more people have arrived for the photoshooting, the 'secret mission'as I call it for special reasons. I'm not allowed to tell you where we are and not to mention certain people who are joining us. It will all be a nice surprise in March when the new Select Collection catalogue is published.


Jonas came straight from Hollywood. He is the Master of Styling!

-- Post From My iPhone

Secret Mission

We are on a secret mission at a secret destination. We are creating our new Select Collection catalogue for 2012-2014 and it will be fabulous!

Our beautiful model

Our handsome photo team

And the creative director with me

And the organizer

-- Post From My iPhone

Been there - seen it!

It's Sunday morning and I'm reading my favorite paper; Financial Times and How to spend it. Here I'm reading about Bhutan, dreaming back to one of our very special destination, where bookings are flourishing. We tailor wonderful itineraries using the Aman hotels, an Amankora you will never forget.



The 17th-century Takstang monastery near Paro in Bhutan is one of the most stunning sights. Takes some hours to climb though...and back
been there - done it!

-- Post From My iPhone