Some time ago, an entrepreneur did not necessarily have such a bad reputation, to begin with, that forced him to define himself as an "emprendedor" (entrepreneur/startup founder) to try to generate a good first impression. Some time ago, the Catalan bourgeoisie, also with its essential critics, had a good reputation as a driving force for the country and its productive and cultural sector. But both categories passed, at least as they were at birth. Does this mean they have disappeared? Not necessarily. The bourgeoisie is no longer what it was, but some have taken up its mantle, to the point of being an unexpected new version of it.
I had the full feeling of it, this last Monday of the season of the The New Barcelona – Moments Estel·lars cycle, organized by The New Barcelona Post at Casa Seat, when interviewing Enrique Tomás and the Torres Brothers. He defines himself as a "shopkeeper," but evidently he also doesn't deny that, now, above all, he is a great entrepreneur who has promoted the sale of ham worldwide. They are great chefs who have not stood still after succeeding in their restaurant. And all three are, with humble origins, the great relief of that Catalan bourgeoisie that was already born with that condition. And they are, not only because of their millionaire incomes of the present, but because of what they carry with them.
They say (and practice) that success is not such if it is not shared. And that means that they attract talent and investments (going to look for them wherever necessary) to Barcelona. The Torres brothers, for example, did not stop until they managed to get Barcelona to host the 2024 Michelin Stars gala. And they have succeeded. And the international impact that this can have in the gastronomic field is only known by them and by those who, like them, already project the name of the Catalan capital to the world, each from their own kitchens.
Tomás, for his part, is a think tank with legs who, just as he mobilizes Sister Lucía Caram and the Sagrada Familia to help Ukrainians, also works to name a major motor racing prize with the name of Barcelona clearly visible. This and a thousand other things. Like the Torres brothers, who want to bring a lot of big events to the capital of Catalonia. They always want it on the map, at the highest level and as a pole of attraction for investments and talent that raises its level. Like the lifelong Catalan bourgeoisie, but without carrying that label. Without being that. Or, rather, being a happy, unexpected and new, updated version of it.
I leave you here the links to recover the conversation on Spotify or Youtube.
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