Sevilla Tapas

Bitesize Sevilla

Hello World! I've been lurking about here on Substack for some time now and have been really wanting to dip my toe in but – so far – which direction to take has alluded me. Do I make this personal, all about me in Sevilla? All about Tapas? All about Sherry? All about Sevilla? All of the above? What's my angle, you know? I'm still wondering.

I'm originally from Canada and, after a brief stint in Bristol England, moved to Spain in May 1992, first to Salamanca and then a year or so later I headed south to Sevilla. I have been here ever since. It's my home and I love it.

In the spring of 2007 I started an accidental food blog which is now probably the most complete guide (in English) for tapas bars and restaurants in Sevilla, with approximately 300 places listed, rated and regularly updated.

As a result of the blog I got to know the bar and restaurant owners on a more personal level and from those experiences and friendships my food tours evolved. I started doing these in 2009, after having to take time off due to stage 4 cancer (so far still in remission – fingers crossed). At that time I was one of the pioneers as there were only three people running food tours in Sevilla back then. Me, Roger and Sam.

These days, as you know, tourism has exploded, not just here but everywhere, and it’s often being said now that Sevilla is on the verge of “dying of success”. This is another topic I have a lot of thoughts about.

I write on various platforms and for international publications (mostly food, wine, travel) and am very active on social media. Okay, maybe a little too active on social media, but am trying to cut back. Hence I have become interested in focusing my writing in order to... well, that’s what I'm still wondering about (see above).

Anyhow, I told myself I would get started here on the first day of the New Year and so here I am. *waves*