The Tourist Office of Spain has picked Portland to represent the United States for World Tapas Day 2017, a day devoted to celebrating Spanish culture and gastronomy with events, parties and unique tapas created for the event.

The day, which falls on June 15, will be celebrated with a full week of events, including a collaborative dinner from Spanish chefs with Michelin-starred restaurant experience. Some 10 Portland restaurants will take part, including Ataula, Bar Casa Vale, Chesa, Toro Bravo and Urdaneta, offering special tapas ideal for a pit-stop or impromptu crawl.

Portland is the third U.S. city named a tapas ambassador, following Washington D.C. -- home to famed Spanish chef Jose Andres -- and Seattle. Nineteen other cities around the world will host similar events this year. Chefs Mikel de Luis, a one-time sous chef for Martin Berasategui, and Gemma Grey, who spent time with Andres, will serve as ambassadors for the cuisine. Members of the prestigious Culinary School Escuela Andaluza de Cocina Santo Domingo de Archidona from Malaga will fly in from Spain to participate in various events.

The recognition comes as Portland's Spanish food scene, which started in the 1990s with the early excitement around Northwest Portland's Tapeo and the rise of Toro Bravo, continues to grow and impress. Last year, chef Jose Chesa expanded his creative cooking at Ataula with a second restaurant, Chesa. Later this spring, Can Font, a destination restaurant found 45 minutes north of Barcelona, will open a second location in Portland's Pearl District.

The original tapa had humble roots, starting as a savory snack typically designed to accompany drinks, often served for free with each round, a practice still maintained in some Spanish towns. In larger cities, talented Spanish chefs have embraced the tapa, presenting contemporary takes on classics or creating new classics all their own. Restaurants around the world, especially those pairing drinks and small plates, are often labeled with the "tapa" moniker.

But in Spain, la vida tapa goes beyond mere eating and drinking. The tourism board puts it this way:

"For Spaniards, tapas are not only delectable creations defined by richness, variety and high gastronomic quality, they are emblematic of a way of life. Both the tapa itself and the action of 'tapeo' are a part of Spanish culture that extends beyond and extraordinary bite of food."

The Spanish food festivities won't stop when World Tapas Day ends. One month after the event, Toro Bravo will host La Ruta PDX, a gastronomic festival celebrating the culinary culture of Spain with four days of dinners, events, workshops, demos and cultural events. Keep an eye out for more details from that event.

Here's a sneak peak at some of the events coming to Portland for World Tapas Day:

TXOTX CIDER HOUSE DINNER

When: 7 p.m., Monday, June 12

Where: Bar Vivant

The txotx is the Spanish barrel that is filled with local cider. Spanish cider isn't carbonated, so when it shoots out of the barrel, the angle and force are enough. That the act of catching the cider in your glass physically adds the desired effervescence to the drink. Experience the txotx through a special dinner with Chef Cherryl Wakerhauser.

TASTE FROM SPAIN

When: 6 p.m.Tuesday, June 13

Where: Can Font PDX

A special dinner with Chef Josep Vidal in the upcoming Can Font restaurant. Font brings Spain's fine dining scene to Portland, OR. A new gem in the Pearl district showcasing the high end cuisine of Spain thru traditional dishes. Pastry Chef Luis Moyano from Madrid Spain will join Chef Josep Vidal in this special dinner.



TASTE FROM ANDALUCIA

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 14

Where: Plaza Del Toro

The Culinary School from Malaga, Spain collaborates on this diner series with Toro Bravo chef John Gorham featuring dishes from the south of Spain. Junta de Andalucia brings students and top products from the region to introduce Portland to the taste of Andalucia.



MARIDAJE TAPAS AND WINE PAIRING

When: 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 14

Where: Tournant+pdx wines+Conserva

Join Tournant along with PDX Wines & Conserva for an evening of exploring premier Spanish wines, paired with creative tapas and hand-sliced jamon iberico at Tournant's inviting space.



WORLD TAPAS DAY

When: June 15

A renowned Michelin Star Chef will fly from Spain to share this special day with Portland, OR. Tasting and exploring the tapas tour hosted by a local personality and ending the day at the big celebration hosted by La Junta de Andalucia, where local chefs will share their take on tapas. Wine tasting, Gintonic demos, degustations, Iberico products, live flamenco and more. All restaurants will have a special tapas menu and cultural events! All this while enjoying the tapeo culture.

SHERRY CLASS AND TAPAS PAIRING

When: TBD, Friday, June 16

Where: Bar Vivant

Pastry Chef Cheryl Wakerhauser from Bar Vivant/Pix, an official sherry educator graduated from Consejos Sherry Course in Jerez de la Frontera, cadiz will host a unique sherry workshop to educated about Sherry Wine along side sweet and savory tapas.

MICHELIN DINNER

When: 7 p.m., June 16

Where: Chesa

Top Spanish Chef from Portland, OR Jose Chesa teams up with a Michelin Star Chef visiting from Spain to feature modern Spanish cuisine with the Pacific northwest bounty.

CYCLE PORTLAND BICYCLE TAPAS TOUR

When: Two options, Saturday, June 17

Visiting ten of the hottest tapas bars in town, this tour is available as an east- or west-side option. In addition, we will be joined at one location by a renowned Michelin Star Chef for our East side excursion. Casual riding, some moderate hills.

multi-speed bikes and food included (drinks not included). Ride starts and returns to our bike shop. East Tour runs 11 miles from 3 to 7 p.m.. West Tour six miles from 4 to 7 p.m.

BASQUE COUNTRY TASTE

When: 7 p.m., Saturday, June 17

Where: Urdaneta

A special dinner with Chef Javier Canteras featuring the cuisine of Spain's Basque Country.



SPECIAL SPANISH BRUNCH

When: 10:30 a.m., Sunday, June 18

Where: Ataula



A Spanish style brunch by Chef Jose Chesa.



SPECIAL CATALONIAN BRUNCH

When: 10:30 a.m., Sunday, June 18

Where: Can Font



A Catalonian-style brunch by Chef Josep Vidal



SPECIAL SPANISH BRUNCH

When: Sunday, June 18

Where: Bar Casa Vale

A Spanish-style brunch at Bar Casa Vale.

LA MARIENDA

When: 3 to 6 p.m., Sunday, June 18

Where: 180 xurros pdx

Spanish-style "Merienda" (snack time) at 180 Xurros, Portland's first xurros shop. Order the Tapas Tour PDX special and get a traditional "Merienda" (mid-day snack) just like in Spain.



FINAL TAPAS PARTY

When: 7 p.m., Sunday, June 18

Where: Plaza Del Toro

All participants and guests gather at Plaza del Toro to celebrate the closing of #TAPASTOURPDX. Complimentary tapas will be served to represent all the regions that have been showcased throughout the week.

For more information, visit worldtapasdayusa.com

-- Michael Russell