Exploring Basque Delights: Jon Rahm's Unique Twist at the Masters Champions Dinner

Jon Rahm is set to host the Masters Champions Dinner next month and will be treating his fellow green jacket winners to a culinary journey in the Basque Country.

During a presentation on Tuesday, the Spaniard shared details of the menu he has meticulously planned for the prestigious banquet, which will take place at Augusta National’s clubhouse on April 9. This event is a long-standing tradition that was initiated by Ben Hogan in 1952, where the current champion selects the meal for a gathering of past champions.

Rahm's menu was created in collaboration with Spanish chef José Andrés, inspired by the Basque regions in the north of Spain. Rahm, who hails from Barrika, a town near Bilbao in Biscay province, hopes to impress his peers with the flavors of his homeland.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Rahm expressed his desire to incorporate a part of himself into the menu, hoping that his fellow players will enjoy it.

Rahm comes from a place known for its exceptional culinary scene. In 2023, Spain had the most top-ranked restaurants in the world, with six of them being in Basque Country. This region is known for its delicious and unique dishes that you may not have tried before.

The Basque region, with a population of almost 2.2 million people, boasts an impressive 23 Michelin star restaurants. Four of these restaurants even hold the prestigious three-star rating.

Rahm celebrates triumph at Augusta National last year.

Rahm celebrates triumph at Augusta National last year.

Mike Segar/Reuters

Please don't tell me if you don't like it.

Starting off are pintxos, the Basque version of tapas. These small plates offer a variety of options, from meats like Iberian ham (jamón), cured pork loin (lomo), and spicy Basque chorizo (chistorra) wrapped in potato, to local Idiázabal cheese with black truffle, creamy chicken croquettes (croquetas), and a traditional Spanish potato omelette (tortilla).

And then there is the lentil stew, also known as "Mama Rahm's lentejas," a recipe that Andrés inherited from Rahm's grandmother.

Rahm shared, "If you happen to not enjoy it, please keep it to yourself. This dish holds a special place in my heart, so I prefer not to hear any negative feedback about it."

For the main course, you can choose between a Basque crab salad paired with either turbot fish and white asparagus, or Basque ribeye steak with lettuce and piquillo peppers.

Rahm's favorite is the Basque ribeye steak, which is usually smoked and seared before being served. Just remember not to cook your steak beyond medium rare, especially if Rahm or other Basque locals are dining with you.

Rahm explained that if you exceed a certain limit, people will give you a strange look because they are proud of the high quality of their meat. He mentioned that whenever he visits his hometown, he always makes sure to enjoy it.

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida was the destination for Scottie Sheffler and his family on March 3, 2024. They visited TPC Sawgrass before THE PLAYERS Championship at Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. The photo captured their memorable visit. (Photo by Chris Condon/PGA TOUR)

Chris Condon/PGA TOUR

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Dessert is a puff pastry cake called milhojas, meaning "1,000 leaves", topped with custard and Chantilly cream.

The wine pairings for the evening include a dry Basque white called Txakoli and CVNE Imperial, a red from Rioja. Rahm proudly displays a bottle of CVNE Imperial in his home office, which holds sentimental value.

This particular bottle in Rahm's office was a cherished possession of his grandfather. It was released as a special edition collaboration between the winery and Rahm's favorite soccer team, Athletic Bilbao, in 1994 - the same year Rahm was born.

Rahm insisted that the wine was his grandfather's favorite and of "very high quality." He believed that it would help him calm his nerves before giving his dinner speech.

Admitting that the thought of the wine had been on his mind constantly, Rahm said, "When I tell you that this has definitely been rent free in my head."

I’m usually comfortable with public speaking – I can talk about anything without a problem. However, the thought of standing in front of a room full of people, especially with all those amazing champions looking at me, is pretty intimidating.

I believe in speaking from the heart, as that usually makes for a better speech. I don’t have a set script, but a glass or two of wine might help me loosen up a bit and speak more freely.

Scottie Scheffler, champion in 2022, helps Rahm into his new green jacket.

Scottie Scheffler, champion in 2022, helps Rahm into his new green jacket.

Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

‘I just want to see the best in the world compete against the best in the world’

Scottie Scheffler, who hosted last year's event, will be watching Rahm's toast and savoring his Iberian feast.

Last year, Scheffler kicked off the tournament with a Texas-themed menu, which included cheeseburger sliders, ribeye steak with mac & cheese, and chocolate chip skillet cookies. The American world No. 1 concluded the event by presenting Rahm with his green jacket.

Rahm won the tournament by five strokes, leaving Scheffler behind. He was followed by Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson, who are now his competitors in LIV Golf after he left the PGA Tour in December.

Scottie Scheffler celebrates with the trophy after winning the 50th Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Scottie Scheffler celebrates with the trophy after winning the 50th Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

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Rahm had to settle for watching Scheffler edge out Wyndham Clark to win The Players Championship as the proposed reconciliation agreement between the tours is not finalized yet. The PGA Tour's flagship event saw an unprecedented title defense on Sunday, with Rahm switching to the Saudi-backed circuit. Rahm expressed admiration for Scheffler's achievement, being the first ever back-to-back champion at the tournament. He noted the significance of this accomplishment considering the history of great golfers who have played at that golf course.

It was really enjoyable to watch the exciting finish of the game. I must say, that was a truly fun match to witness. I sympathize with Wyndham Clark for the way he played the last three holes and experienced that unfortunate lip-out. It was truly heart-wrenching to see. Despite that, it made for great television and was a really enjoyable experience.

Rahm tees off at LIV Golf's latest event in Hong Kong earlier this month.

Rahm tees off at LIV Golf's latest event in Hong Kong earlier this month.

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Rahm, who has been competing in his fourth tournament on the Saudi-backed circuit, shared that he is still aiming for his first win. He acknowledged that he will be missing out on The Players, along with other PGA Tour events. Despite this, Rahm remains hopeful and optimistic about the future of golf, believing that there is space for everyone after years of internal conflicts.

"I simply want to witness the top players in the world go head-to-head, regardless of the circumstances," Rahm expressed.

I believe there is enough space for everyone in the game of golf to grow and attract more viewers.

In comparison, when we look at football or soccer, there are various leagues like the Premier League, Spanish League, Bundesliga, Serie A, French League, along with major European events such as the Champions League and Europa Cup. Fans enjoy watching these competitions regardless of the team they support.

“So I think there is a way of having golf deliver and be able to put out a different product that’s better for everybody, not me or for players but for spectators in general.”

Editor's P/S:

Jon Rahm's meticulous planning for the Masters Champions Dinner is a testament to his pride in his Basque heritage and his desire to share its culinary delights with his fellow green jacket winners. The menu, inspired by the Basque regions in the north of Spain, showcases the region's exceptional culinary scene, with its emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients and unique flavor combinations. Rahm's personal touch, including his grandmother's lentil stew, adds a heartwarming element to the event.

Rahm's vision for the future of golf, where the best players in the world can compete against each other regardless of their affiliation, is both ambitious and optimistic. He believes that there is room for everyone in the game and that by working together, the sport can become even more exciting and accessible for fans around the world. His perspective, shaped by his experience competing on both the PGA Tour and the LIV Golf circuit, offers a unique and valuable perspective on the ongoing debate about the future of professional golf.