I'm not much impressed by many celebrities, and seldom go out of my way to see them. So imagine my surprise while walking through the United terminal at Chicago O'hare airport today when I literally passed Paula Deen and her husband. (For those of you who are even less clued in to celebrities than me, she has a very popular cooking show featuring Southern US cooking). Here's a photo to prove it.  And, no, I didn't ask for an autograph or even say hi.

From jamon de Iberico to roast suckling pig, it was uno grande fiesta of pork in Madrid!

My friends knew.  They knew I had a list of things I HAD to eat and drink over the course of a five-day trip to Madrid.  It included the usual suspects, like Iberico ham, patatas bravas, Spanish olives, churros and hot chocolate, Manchego cheese, empanadas, flan and as many red wines as I could try.  While I accomplished most of the list (I forgot to have flan!), I encountered one delicacy at one very famous restaurant that was completely surprising.

What is the most romantic city on Earth? Paris? Florence? Well, you may not know it but there is a third one you should add to the list... Antigua, Guatemala. Share my 25 anniversary honeymoon adventures and learn more about a restaurant with no name, sleeping with Bill Clinton and living under the volcano. 

I recently visited Costa Rica. My friend and colleague Carmen Mayela Fallas (who other than leading Comunicacion Corporativa Ketchum all over Central America, is an avid art collector is also a cook) is currently writing a book on her mother recipes for all Costa Rican occasions. Find out more about what can you eat for Christmas in Central America.