On Tuesday 28th March the Spanish Chamber organised the Annual Patrons’ Dinner. The event was held at the Spanish Embassy and H.E. the Ambassador of Spain Mr. Carlos Bastarreche Sagües was our exceptional host for the evening. This event allowed our Patrons to meet the newly appointed Ambassador in a relaxed and intimate dinner.
![PatronsDiner_28Mar17-11](https://spanishchamberofcommmerceingreatbritain.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/patronsdiner_28mar17-11.jpg)
The main dining room was perfectly set up for the traditional Annual Patrons’ Dinner.
Our guests were welcomed with a selection of canapés that they could enjoy while tasting the selection of cava and wine, which was kindly sponsored by our Patron Codorníu Raventós, as well as beers kindly provided by our Patron Mahou-San Miguel during the pre-dinner reception. This was the perfect opportunity for new Patrons to introduce themselves and get acquainted with the rest of representatives in attendance.
After the reception, Patrons proceeded to the dining area to take their seats and get ready to enjoy a three-course dinner which consisted of avocado salad with braised tomatoes, beef Wellington with potatoes and bacon millefeuille, and finally chocolate mousse with almond croquant.
Before dinner was served Mr. Javier San Basilio, President of the Spanish Chamber, opened the evening with a special speech expressing his gratitude for the support that Patrons provide to this institution and warmly thanked the Ambassador for kindly welcoming the Patrons on his first event with the Spanish Chamber.
![PatronsDiner_28Mar17-45](https://spanishchamberofcommmerceingreatbritain.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/patronsdiner_28mar17-45.jpg)
The traditional dinner allowed new Patrons to get acquainted with the rest of companies within this membership category.
He also mentioned the new Patrons that the Chamber has gained since the last year’s dinner which were: CaixaBank, CLH -PS, Gestamp, Indra, and OHL Desarrollos. Furthermore, he took the opportunity to remind attendees of this year’s Annual Golden Award which would take place the following week, on Tuesday 4th April, again at the Embassy.
![PatronsDiner_28Mar17-87](https://spanishchamberofcommmerceingreatbritain.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/patronsdiner_28mar17-87.jpg)
Mr. Javier San Basilio, President of the Spanish Chamber, thanked Patrons for their cotinuous support.
After the President, it was the turn of H.E. the Ambassador Mr. Carlos Bastarreche Sagües, who began his speech by thanking the Spanish Chamber for the organisation and gave an overview of the current economic and political situation in the UK and Spain in the context of Brexit, and the role Spain may play in Europe in the near future. As he mentioned, the link between the two countries is stronger than ever, with the UK currently being the first destination for Spanish investments.
![PatronsDiner_28Mar17-93](https://spanishchamberofcommmerceingreatbritain.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/patronsdiner_28mar17-93.jpg)
H.E. Mr. Carlos Bastarreche Sagües during his address to the Patrons.
After the speeches, it was time for guests to enjoy the dinner and later to move on to the main reception room, where coffee and petit fours were served. Attendees enjoyed thus the end of the event in a comfortable atmosphere and could exchange impressions with the Ambassador and the President of the Chamber. This was the perfect closure for this exclusive gathering.
![PatronsDiner_28Mar17-129](https://spanishchamberofcommmerceingreatbritain.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/patronsdiner_28mar17-129.jpg)
Patrons had the opportunity to enjoy the grand and relaxed atmosphere of this exclusive event.
We would like to thank our Patron Codorníu Raventós for their generous support providing the wines and cava served during the event and also special thanks to our Patron Mahou-San Miguel for kindly sponsoring the beer at this special evening.
Finally, we are grateful to our Patrons for their attendance and we look forward to seeing them at the next Patrons’Event.
To see the complete pictures of the evening, please click here.
If you would like to be updated on forthcoming activities, do not hesitate to sign up for our weekly newsletter. Alternatively, you can also check out our event in the UPCOMING EVENTS section within our website.