Paladar
Encyclopedia
Paladar is a term used in Cuba
to refer to restaurants run by self-employers. Gaceta Oficial Extraordinaria Especial No. 12/2010, a category endorsed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of the Republic of Cuba in its Resolution 32/2010, which refers to people who operate small private businesses in Cuba. Mostly family-run businesses, paladares are fundamentaly directed to serve as a counterpart of state run restaurants for tourist seeking for a most vivid interaction with cuban reality, and looking for homemade cuban food.
. The transmission of this soap opera coincided in time with the first issue of licenses for self-employers’ work in Cuba, so the Cuban public designated the then new type establishments by this name.
Since its inception in the late 90s to early 2011, the paladares were subjected to limitations by the Cuban government concerning the amount and type of products they could offer, the hiring of labor force and the number of seats that could have. The process of renewal of the economic model started in 2010 led to a review of these measures, resulting in a substantial increase in the number of paladares and the diversification of their proposals.
The models that emerge are quite diverse, ranging from the typical business set up in a family home, until more elaborate variations including different types of cuisine in rooms specially designed or modified for the activity. Similarly, while most retailers offer Cuban food, and Italian food, which is very popular in Cuba, others have produced more ambitious projects combining local cuisine with Mediterranean and international elements.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
to refer to restaurants run by self-employers. Gaceta Oficial Extraordinaria Especial No. 12/2010, a category endorsed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of the Republic of Cuba in its Resolution 32/2010, which refers to people who operate small private businesses in Cuba. Mostly family-run businesses, paladares are fundamentaly directed to serve as a counterpart of state run restaurants for tourist seeking for a most vivid interaction with cuban reality, and looking for homemade cuban food.
Origin of the name
The term of popular usage, has its origin in the Brazilian soap opera (soap opera) Vale Todo, shown in Cuba in the early years of 90's. Paladar was the name of the chain of restaurants run by Rachel Accioli, the protagonist, played by Regina DuarteRegina Duarte
Regina Blois Duarte is a Brazilian film, television and stage actress. Her efforts against the current Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the 2002 elections caused considerable controversy. Duarte appeared in a TV advertisement saying that she was afraid of what could happen to...
. The transmission of this soap opera coincided in time with the first issue of licenses for self-employers’ work in Cuba, so the Cuban public designated the then new type establishments by this name.
History
Private owned small restaurants have always existed in Cuba. Until the 1990s they were illegal, but the fall of the USSR and consequent economic crisis in Cuba forced the government to make the economic reforms of 1993. One of the items in these reforms was the legalization of private owned restaurants.Since its inception in the late 90s to early 2011, the paladares were subjected to limitations by the Cuban government concerning the amount and type of products they could offer, the hiring of labor force and the number of seats that could have. The process of renewal of the economic model started in 2010 led to a review of these measures, resulting in a substantial increase in the number of paladares and the diversification of their proposals.
The models that emerge are quite diverse, ranging from the typical business set up in a family home, until more elaborate variations including different types of cuisine in rooms specially designed or modified for the activity. Similarly, while most retailers offer Cuban food, and Italian food, which is very popular in Cuba, others have produced more ambitious projects combining local cuisine with Mediterranean and international elements.
Cultural reference
Some paladars have achieved international renown for its quality. Names like "La Guarida" "La Fontana" or "Old Gringo" are a reference for those looking for a place to eat in Havana.External links
- [Official Site AlaMesa http://www.alamesacuba.com] Directory of Restaurants in Cuba.
- http://www.losviajeros.com/foros.php?t=4139 Forum of Paladares in Los Viajeros