José Sol, the Spaniard who’s answerable for chopping ham within the Champions League ultimate in London

When José Sol arrived in London in 2010, he did not assume he would find yourself chopping a ham in essential occasions such because the Royal Albert Corridor in London, the Royal Ascot and even the Chelsea Flower Present. Their record of purchasers just isn’t far behind both, from the Queen of England, King Philip VI, to the British Prime Minister and ending with folks as well-known as Will Smith, Brad Pitt or Quentin Tarantino. His good work has led to an exhibition in varied nations in Europe, Australia, the US, Russia, China, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea.

Your subsequent large date will stay as much as expectations. Actually, subsequent Saturday, June 1, would be the official cut-off in the course of the ultimate of the Champions League, which can face Actual Madrid and Borussia Dortmund Wembley Stadium.

This ham specialist works with one of the best wineries and personally selects the ham he cuts at every of his particular occasions. For this journey he traveled to the small city of Pozoblanco in Córdoba to pick out an genuine gem. On this method, those that attend the Wembley stadium field can have the chance to style a 100% Iberian Bellota Excessive Expression ham from the Valle de los Pedroches designation of origin from the 2019 classic. Gastronomic luxurious that has even traveled on an Air Pressure HAM to make sure it’s in good situation till sport day.

José Sol arrived on British soil 14 years in the past as nation supervisor of a ham firm. “After 10 months and as a result of disaster that was occurring in Spain at the moment, they determined that I ought to return to Spain. I had already seen it “Guignol threads” y I noticed that there was loads to do with the ham, so I gathered my braveness and began my very own occasions firm. That is the place Spanish Ham Grasp was born,” he says.

As revealed, it was very tough to promote ham within the UK 14 years in the past, the market was dominated by Italian Parma ham. “We needed to make noise and present folks the wonders of our ham. Little by little I made a spot for myself by breaking in lots of sneakers by knocking on the doorways of one of the best eating places within the UK. It is extremely tough to work within the UK if you happen to would not have good “credentials” about your self. No person knew me, however I requested loads.”he remembers.

Actual Madrid spy

His entry into the world of soccer was marked by the identical tenacity. Earlier than Actual Madrid’s sport in opposition to Manchester United within the Champions League, José Sol managed to get Manchester United CEO James Tagg to agree to fulfill him. A couple of minutes have been sufficient to persuade him of the easiest way the Spanish crew was entertained by giving them a great Iberian ham.

“The miracle occurred and I can say that my skilled profession modified that day. I grew to become Manchester United’s official ham provider, which on this nation is a “reference”. Actual Madrid received, and Spanish Ham Grasp started to fly within the English market. Iberian ham has grow to be a staple of Madrid. A few weeks in the past I minimize a ham for the primary time on the Manchester Metropolis stadium and Madrid received once more. So we hope that Wembley shall be a groundbreaker once more and that they’ll win the cup,” he stated.

For this businessman, being the official cutter of the Champions League ultimate is a giant problem. “Not being a giant soccer fan, I really feel the strain to convey a ham to an occasion that makes historical past. Ham chopping is a spot as iconic as Wembley Stadium, I feel it’s a actual benefit for all of the people who find themselves devoted to promoting ham and Spanish merchandise world wide. It is going to be an honor to be there,” he concluded.