PENARTH tapas favourite Bar 44 has rewarded some of its staff with an authentic culinary expedition to learn from and experience traditional Spanish cuisine first-hand.

Owners of The Bar 44 Tapas y Copas Group, brothers Owen and Tom Morgan, are hosting have just hosted a ‘road trip’ for eight of their best-performing staff members to sample Spanish culture, starting in the city of La Coruna – famed for it’s wine and seafood. The stay will also included a tour of the Estrella Galicia brewery and dinner at the Michelin starred restaurant, Alborada.Outside of requesting that staff members ‘eat, drink and be merry’ as well as pack their ‘elasticated trousers’,

Before they went, the Morgan brothers said they hoped their staff will would learn from and engage with the Spanish people and culture, allowing them to bring back fresh understanding of the rich, Spanish culinary tradition to Penarth.

Owen Morgan said: “We are delighted to be in a position to take staff away and share an experience like this with us and show them why we love everything about Spain.”

Jessica Walker, hostess for the Bar 44 Group, was thrilled to discover she had been selected for the trip.

“It was the most spectacular surprise,” she said.added. “I’m so thrilled to be able to experience the culture and food that we’ve come to love so much from working here.”

Last year, employees were taken on expeditions to a range of Spanish locations including Jerez de la Frontera, also known as the ‘Sherry Triangle’, to spend time with producers and learn how the authentic produce found at Bar 44 is harvested.

Mr Morgan added: “We love to reward the high performance of our workers with a well-earned break, but also these trips enrich their passion and knowledge for the work they do.

“Ultimately it gives our clientele that unique experience of eating and drinking with us you can’t find anywhere else,” he said.