As Long as the Campaign
A whole Ibérico ham for a campaign team
The ask
I chaired our public library foundation's building campaign as a volunteer, and its staff of six closed the final gift on Friday, a little over two years after we began. I'd like to give them something to share in their office kitchen. Around $2,000.
The gift
A whole bone-in leg of Cinco Jotas 100% Ibérico de bellota from Jabugo, the house dating to 1879 and credited with the first company devoted to purebred Ibérico pork. It is black-label grade, the highest under Spain's labeling rules, and cured for more than two years. We set it on a swivel carving stand made in Valencia, with a long slicing knife and a card on how to carve.
Why it's extraordinary
This leg was cured for more than two years, about as long as the campaign ran. Once started and covered, it keeps on its stand in a cool room for weeks, so the team carves it together, a few slices at a time.
The moment
The leg stands in a cool corner of the staff kitchen for weeks, and whoever passes cuts a few slices for whoever else is there.
A curator replies within one business day.
