Sharing a new shopping treasure with Panama’s top chefs.

 

For those in the know, and that includes most of Panama’s top chefs, the answer is the Gago Brothers in Costa del Este, who are well known and respected in the restaurant,  catering and supermarket industries as distributors of high quality fruit and vegetables.

 

Before the US Invasion in 1989 the family ran a chain of supermarkets in Panama which were trashed in the post invasion looting orgy. That led to the decision to sell the stores to the Ricardo Martinelli owned super 99, while they concentrated on distributing to the trade.

 

In the meantime, with the support of a Canadian grower, the family stayed in the Christmas tree business and from that branched out and quickly built up the largest Christmas store on the continent, an annual must see place for thousands of Panamanians from August to December.

 

But all the time there was the pull of the food business, and a couple of year’s back, opposite their Aldea Navidena Gago they opened a store specializing in ham and cheese.

 

This year they moved Christmas out, and specialty supplies for their primary customers in.

 

The first completed unit was the transferred Casa del Jamon, with offerings ranging from $65 through a right up to the over $600 gourmand’s delight.

 

When I entered the temperature and humidity controlled room with Jose Alfonso Gago Salinero, his first words were: “Oh the smell.” The smell of a cured ham is nectar in the nose of the visitor, and the high end price range suddenly fell into place. For the genuine ham lover and carver, there is a selection of carving units, which will give even the newcomer to carving, a professional air.

 

My tour of the hanging offerings was followed by  tasting session (open to all visiting customers) of ham and delectable olives.

 

A tour of what can best be described as a Super Super Market for the trade, revealed delicacies from around the world, but with a particular emphasis on Spanish products, a natural inclination for a Spanish family. But there was lamb from Chile and, beef from California duckling from Long Island, Cornish hens, Gallega (codfish) empanadas, sausages and tortilla espanola from Spain.

 

The cheeses from around the world come in small packages right up to whole rounds including the giant parmesan at over $1,200 marked “sold”. Don’t worry, there’s more where that one came from.

 

Under construction is a giant walk in freezer with 20 doors, where customers will be able to select their catering size orders of meat and other specialties.

 

But the good news for you dear reader, is that the store is not limited to the trade. We humble retail customers are at liberty to explore, wonder and purchase. Maybe not that top of the bill ham, unless you want to pass on to a reluctant beau that old message: “Cookin’ lasts. Kissin’ don’t”. But you will certainly enjoy the huge selection of frozen and bottled goods, meats and cheeses.

 

My eyes fell on 6 lb tubs of frozen strawberries, five varieties of Dijon mustard, crystallized fruit, jars of raisins and sultanas , whole manchego cheeses, goat's cheese cured in wine, and jars of chick peas, red beans and lentils, which all turned out to be as delicious as they looked and  backed up with family recipes from Jose’s mother, Dona Rosario. You haven’t tasted lentil soup until you’ve tried this one. And hey, it’s good for you.

 

By the way, the Gago’s haven’t completely abandoned the Christmas trade. They still have decorations at discounted prices and will be selling freshly cut Christmas trees from Canada and Oregon, starting November 22. A good time to stock up on hams, turkeys, ducks and all those other delights for a true seasonal family event.

 

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Original Source: Newsrommpanama.com

Date Retrieved: November 7, 2010.