Tag Archive for: Girona

We are delighted to report that the Michelin Restaurant Guide for Spain and Portugal 2017 will be presented this year live from Girona, Spain!!!

Girona, Spain, Houses and Cathedral

The beautiful city of Girona is home to world renowned El Celler de Can Roca,  so who better to hold the event than home-grown chefs !!!

The prestigious gala ceremony will be held on the 23rd of November 2016 at Mas Marroch, a country house estate and gastronomic space used for special events, at the hands of the famed Roca Brothers.

Joan Roca of Michelin 3* – and current World’s Nº2 restaurant  – El Celler de Can Roca (Girona) will be in charge of the gastronomic side of the evening, along with his brothers Josep and Jordi.

The province of Girona is no stranger to Michelin stars, and currently holds 13 Michelin Starred Restaurants (see below), but, with this news, that the Michelin Stars 2017 Spain and Portugal gala is coming to Girona, can we expect some new stars in the province? or even in Catalonia? Remember, Barcelona city still doesn’t have a Michelin 3* Restaurant! Could this be the year?

We will, of course, keep you updated …

Roca Brothers

 

Current Michelin Starred Restaurants in Girona, Spain:

Girona city– El Celler de Can Roca ***

Llançà – Miramar **

Olot – Les Cols **

Castelló d’Empuries – Emporium * NEW

Llafranc – Casamar *

Tossa de Mar – La Cuina de Can Simon *

La Vall de Bianya – Ca l’Enric *

Corçà – Bo.Tic *

Girona city  – Massana *

Gombrèn – La Fonda Xesc *

Llagostera – Els Tinars *

Arbucies  – Les Magnòlies *

Roses / Playa de Canyelles Petites – Els Brancs *

 

Experience Michelin starred Restaurant dining opportunities in Spain and Portugal on one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours . Contact us for your personalized quote.

 

 

RESULTS ARE IN for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 FULL LIST 1-50 

At Number 2 for the World’s Best Restaurants List 2016 is:

EL CELLER DE CAN ROCA, Girona – a Michelin 3 star restaurant at the hands of the Roca Brothers –  Joan as chef, Josep as sommelier and Jordi as pastry chef!!!

germans roca

Celler de Can Roca

Joan Roca dish

The 2016 World’s 50 Best Restaurants List 1-50  was awarded at a grand ceremony in New York, on the 13th of June ! Next year, for the 2017 World’s 50 Best Restaurants List the ceremony moves to Melbourne, Australia!

And remember, there’s more, here is the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 FULL LIST 51-100

We have many fine dining opportunities for you all over Spain and/or Portugal.  Any of our sample private Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours gives you the chance of fine dining – contact us for your personalized quote!.

Huge congratulations to the Spanish Restaurants who yet again feature strongly in the World’s Best Restaurants List. Occupying 10% of the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List, half of them climbed positions and half fell, but all 10 Spanish restaurants maintain their status in the Top 100 Restaurants of the World 2016 (7 in the Top 50, of which 3 are in the Top 10).

Portugal,  last year, had 2 entries in the 51-100 List but for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List just one stays. Congratulations to Belcanto in Lisbon, slowly but surely establishing its gastronomic offering by climbing up the charts.

worlds 50 best restaurants 2016

Here’s a look at the Spanish and Portuguese movers and shakers in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List:

Nº 2 – El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain, falls from Nº 1 to Nº 2 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 7 – Mugaritz, San Sebastian, Spain, falls from Nº 6 to Nº7 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 10 – Asador Etxebarri, Axpe, Spain, climbs from Nº 13 to Nº 10 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 16 – Azurmendi, Larrabetzu, Spain, climbs from Nº 19 to Nº 16 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 21 – Arzak, San Sebastian, Spain, falls from Nº 17 to Nº21 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 29 – Tickets, Barcelona, Spain, climbs from Nº 42 to Nº29 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 49 – Quique Dacosta, Denia, Spain, falls from Nº 39 to Nº49 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 55 – Nerua, Bilbao, Spain, climbs from Nº 68 to Nº55 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 59 – Martín Berasategui, Lasarte-Oria, Spain, climbs from Nº 61 to Nº 59 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 78 – Belcanto, Lisbon, Portugal, climbs from Nº 91 to Nº 78 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 79 – DiverXO, Madrid, Spain, falls from Nº 59 to Nº 79 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

N/A – Vila Joya, Albufeira, Portugal, disappears from the list where last year it was at nº 98

 

Here are the COMPLETE Lists for the World’s Best Restaurants 2016:

1 – 50 World’s Best 50 Restaurants 2016 – FULL LIST

51 – 100 World’s Best Restaurants 2016 – FULL LIST

 

There are literally thousands of restaurants all over the world – hundreds of thousands! – and acclaimed Restaurant Magazine narrows it down to organize, compile and present, year after year, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards and List.

This prestigious list is an annual recollection of the opinions and experiences of over 900 international restaurant industry experts and the ceremony is attended by the world’s finest chefs, international media and the world’s most influential restaurateurs.

This year, 2016, the awards ceremony was presented from The Cipriani Wall Street in New York, USA, the first time the ceremony has moved from its beginnings (the first list was published in 2002) in England, from London!

Next year, for 2017, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards Ceremony will be heading to Melbourne, Australia!!!

We have many fine dining opportunities for you all over Spain and / or Portugal.  Any of our sample private Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours gives you the chance of fine dining – contact us for your personalized quote!.

El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain, is the current World’s Number 1 Restaurant!!

The NEW World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2016 will be presented next month but, in the meantime, we’ll be looking at how the current Spanish and Portuguese entries (from the 2015 list) have evolved  in the prestigious Restaurant Magazine’s list in our “A la Crème de la Crème” Gourmand Breaks Blog series.

In 2006 El Celler de Can Roca entered the acclaimed Worlds Best 50 restaurants list, compiled by Restaurant Magazine, in 21st place, rising to 11th place in 2007 and then falling to 26th place in 2008.  In 2009 El Celler de Can Roca established it’s Top 10 placing and  rose to 5th place then in 2010 and 2011 rose even higher, to 4th and 2nd places respectively. In 2012 El Celler de Can Roca stayed put in 2nd place but the following year, in 2013, hit the Number 1 spot, but just for one year as in 2014 Noma regained its crown and El Cellar de Can Roca had to settle for 2nd place.  But, not for long as in 2015 El Celler de Can Roca took it’s place at the Top and is the current Number 1.

 

Can THE Best Restaurant in the World, in 2013 and 2015, El Celler de Can Roca, hold on to Number 1 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2016 ? We’ll let you know on the 13th of June ……

Celler de Can Roca

There are literally thousands of restaurants all over the world – hundreds of thousands! – and acclaimed Restaurant Magazine narrows it down to organize, compile and present, year after year, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards and List.

This prestigious list, coming up to its 14th year,  is an annual recollection of the opinions and experiences of over 900 international restaurant industry experts and the ceremony is attended by the world’s finest chefs, international media and the world’s most influential restaurateurs.

This year, 2016, sees the awards ceremony being presented from the United States of America, the first time the ceremony has moved from its beginnings in England, from London!

We’ll keep you updated on the results of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016  (June 13th 2016 live from New York) but in the meantime over the next couple of weeks we’ll be taking a look at the Spanish (and Portuguese) movers and shakers in our Gourmand Breaks series “A la Crème de la Crème”

 

Although El Celler de Can Roca is booked up well over a year in advance we have many fine dining opportunities for you all over Spain and / or Portugal. Any of our sample private Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours gives you the chance of fine dining – contact us for your personalized quote!.

 

Repsol recently announced their New Guide for Spain and Portugal Restaurants 2016! But! – I hear you say – “Didn’t we just have the New Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal 2016 announced?”

The answer is YES! The New Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal 2016 was presented in November and offers us 174 Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain and 14 Michelin Starred Restaurants in Portugal for 2016.

Mugaritz Dish

So – you ask – “What is the Repsol Guide? and what do they award?”

Well, for over 35 years Repsol has been highlighting the best restaurants in Spain and Portugal, and similar to Michelin, every year, awards the best restaurants and publishes the New Guide.  While Michelin awards Stars, Repsol awards Suns.

The Repsol Suns, as the Michelin Stars, are prestigious distinctions, a symbol of culinary excellence awarded to the best restaurants and chefs in Spanish and Portuguese gastronomy. It is no surprise, therefore, to find lots of Michelin stars shining in the Repsol Guide. The highest accolade is 3 suns, then 2, then 1 – Just like Michelin.

However, Repsol is a little more generous than Michelin and offers a total of 476 restaurants in Spain (36 with Three Suns, 147 with Two Suns and 293 with One Sun) and 88 restaurants in Portugal (7 with Three Suns, 21 with Two Suns and 60 with One Sun)

As you can imagine, with 564 Repsol Sun Restaurants between Spain and Portugal 2016, that’s a looooooooog list. So here are the  REPSOL 3 SUN RESTAURANTS FOR SPAIN AND PORTUGAL 2016 (36 in Spain and 7 in Portugal compared with 8 Michelin Three Star restaurants in Spain 2016 and 0 Michelin Three Star Restaurants in Portugal 2016 ):

 

SPAIN 2016 – Three Soles “3 Suns” Restaurants

ABaC – Michelin 2* – Barcelona

Akelarre  – Michelin 3*- Donostia/San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa

Aponiente – Michelin 2* – El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz

Arzak  – Michelin 3* – Donostia/San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa

Atrio – Michelin 2* – Cáceres

Azurmendi  – Michelin 3* – Larrabetzu, Bizkaia

Cabaña Buenavista [NEW] –  Michelin 1* – El Palmar, Murcia

Can Jubany  – Michelin 1* – Calldetenes, Barcelona

Sant Pau – Michelin 3* – Sant Pol de Mar, Barcelona

Casa Gerardo  – Michelin 1* – Prendes, Asturias

Cenador de Amós  – Michelin 1* – Villaverde de Pontones, Cantabria

Coque  – Michelin 2* – Humanes de Madrid, Madrid

Dani García – Michelin 2* – Marbella, Málaga

DiverXo – Michelin 3* – Madrid

Dos Cielos  – Michelin 1* – Barcelona

El Celler de Can Roca  –  Michelin 3* – Girona

El Portal – Michelin 2* – Ezcaray, La Rioja

Etxebarri (Asador) – Michelin 1* – Atxondo, Bizkaia

Hispània  – Arenys de Mar, Barcelona

Kabuki Wellington – Michelin 1* – Madrid

L’Escaleta – Michelin 1* – Cocentaina, Alicante

La Terraza del Casino – Michelin 2* – Madrid

Martín Berasategui – Michelin 3* – Lasarte-Oria, Gipuzkoa

Mugaritz – Michelin 2* – Errentería, Gipuzkoa

Nerua  – Michelin 1* – Bilbao, Bizkaia

O’Pazo – Madrid

Quique Dacosta Restaurante –  Michelin 3* – Dénia, Alicante

Ramón Freixa – Michelin 2* – Madrid,

Ricard Camarena – Michelin 1*- Valencia

Rodero – Michelin 1* – Pamplona, Navarra

Santceloni – Michelin 2* – Madrid

Sergi Arola – UPDATE: CLOSED in September 2016 – Sot (part of his restaurant which is Michelin 2*) – Madrid

Solla – Michelin 1* – San Salvador de Poio, Pontevedra

Vía Veneto – Michelin 1* – Barcelona

Zalacaín – Madrid

Zuberoa –  Michelin 1* – Oiartzun, Gipuzkoa

 

PORTUGAL – Three Soles “3 Suns” Restaurants

Belcanto – Michelin 2* – Lisbon

Feitoria – Michelin 1* – Lisbon

Fortaleza do Guincho – Michelin 1* – Cascais, Lisbon

Il Gallo D’Oro – Michelin 1* – Funchal, Madeira

Ocean – Michelin 2* – Armação de Pêra, Algarve

Sâo Gabriel – Michelin 1* – Almancil,  Algarve

Vila Joya – Michelin 2* – Albufeira, Algarve

 

Eurocore HiScan PM3

 

Experience Michelin Starred and Repsol Sunned Restaurant dining opportunities on one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours .   You will have the chance to indulge in the best restaurants in Spain and Portugal!  Contact us for your personalized quote.

If you’re in search of some great food while you’re in Spain,  the New Michelin Guide Spain and Portugal 2016 was recently presented  and offers over 170 Michelin starred restaurants in all of Spain for 2016!!!

So, basically wherever you are headed in the country from North to South or from East to West you’ll find Michelin dining that can be enjoyed on one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours :-)

We’re going to break the list down over the coming days so you’ve got a handy reference for the area that you are going to !!

In the autonomous community of Catalonia you will find a mighty 50 Michelin Starred Restaurants – 2 of which are Michelin Three Star Restaurants, 6 Michelin Two Star Restaurants and 42 Michelin One Star Restaurants.

Joan Roca

50 MICHELIN STAR RESTAURANTS IN CATALONIA, SPAIN

Girona – El Celler de Can Roca ***

Sant Pol de Mar – Sant Pau ***

Barcelona – ABaC **

Barcelona – Enoteca **

Barcelona – Lasarte **

Barcelona – Moments **

Llançà – Miramar **

Olot – Les Cols **

Arbúcies – Les Magnòlies *

Barcelona – Alkimia *

Barcelona – Angle *

Barcelona – Caelis *

Barcelona – Cinc Sentits *

Barcelona – Disfrutar * NEW

Barcelona – Dos Cielos *

Barcelona – Dos Palillos *

Barcelona – Gaig *

Barcelona – Hisop *

Barcelona – Hofmann *

Barcelona – Hoja Santa * NEW

Barcelona – Koy Shunka *

Barcelona – Nectari *

Barcelona  – Pakta *

Barcelona – Roca Moo *

Barcelona – Saüc *

Barcelona – Tickets *

Barcelona – Via Veneto *

Barcelona / Santa Coloma de Gramenet – Lluerna *

Calldetenes – Can Jubany *

Cambrils – Can Bosch *

Cambrils – Rincón de Diego *

Castelló d’Empuries – Emporium * NEW

Cercs – Estany Clar *

Corçà – Bo.Tic *

Gimenells – Malena *

Girona – Massana *

Gombrèn – La Fonda Xesc *

Llafranc – Casamar *

Llagostera – Els Tinars *

El Masnou – Tresmacarrons * NEW

Olost – Sala *

Roses / Playa de Canyelles Petites – Els Brancs *

Sagàs  – Els Casals *

Sant Fruitós de Bages  – L’Ó *

Sort – Fogony *

Terrassa – Capritx *

Tossa de Mar – La Cuina de Can Simon *

Ulldecona – Les Moles *

La Vall de Bianya – Ca l’Enric *

Xerta – Villa Retiro *

Ferran+Adria+ZkK9NUvWe8Gl

Here’s the Full Michelin List Spain and Portugal for 2016:

COMPLETE LIST MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS 2016

Summer may be over but ice-cream never goes out of season!! If you are heading to Girona, Spain, then a must stop is Rocambolesc, the Willy-Wonka-esque ice cream shop of the Michelin 3 star Roca Brothers, in particular Jordi Roca. The sweet brother in charge of desserts at El Celler de Can Roca, current World’s Number 1 restaurant, invites you to experience the sweet sensations of El Celler de Can Roca at Rocambalesc – a world much more than just ice-cream!

Rocambolesc Girona

Just a small shop, on Carrer de Santa Clara in Girona, Rocambolesc radiates a vintage feel and as soon as you step inside you will instantly return to your childhood with “oooos” and “wows” as the colors, smells and sights hit, invade and delight your senses.

Rocambolesc ice-cream

Rocambolesc – Enjoy El Celler de Can Roca delicacies at a fraction of the cost  –  just 3.90€ for a large tub (as per the photo) with 3 toppings!

There are six different flavors of ice-cream to choose from, in cones or tubs, including the classics of vanilla or chocolate and the more adventurous green sorbet or baked apple. Your server will recommend the 3 toppings ideal for your ice-cream flavor choice although you can choose your own 3 from over 30 options such as parma violet marshmallow, strawberries, caramelized apple, nut sprinkles, flaked sugar, crunchy caramel, honey rocks, coconut……

Jordi Roca and Rocambolesc

The youngest of the three Roca Brothers, Jordi Roca was proclaimed “The World’s Best Pastry Chef “in 2014 (the current holder of this title for 2015 is Albert Adrià). At El Celler de Can Roca Joan Roca heads the sublime kitchen; Josep Roca is the expert sommelier and Jordi Roca creates the imaginative desserts.

 

Where to find Rocambolesc:

Rocambolesc in Girona:
Carrer de Santa Clara 50, 17001 Girona
Open: Sun -Thurs 12:00 – 21:00, Fri and Sat 12:00 to 23:00

Rocambolesc in Platja d’Aro (Girona):
Avinguda de S’Agaró 59, 17249 Platja d’Aro
Closed in winter

Rocambolesc in Madrid:
Calle Serrano 52, El Corte Inglés- 7th Floor, 28001 Madrid
Open: Sun-Thurs 12:30 – 00:00, Fri and Sat 12:30 to 00:30

 

Experience the ice-cream joys of Rocambolesc on your Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tour.  We can customise any of our Our Sample Spain Portugal Private Tour Itineraries to include a stay in Girona county and among other fascinating visits a private guided visit of the city of Girona.

American TV series “Game of Thrones” has taken the world by storm, and  part of the filming for its new Series 6 is taking place in Girona, Spain.   Ambling around the Old Town of Girona certainly can transport you back in time, or, with the correct props, into the fantasy world of one of the Kingdoms of Game of Thrones.

Set building for Game of Thrones (series 6) taking place in the Old Town of Girona, Spain.

Set building for Game of Thrones (series 6) taking place in the Old Town of Girona, Spain.

The Game of Thrones cast and crew are currently”decorating” and preparing to start filming next week in certain parts of the Old Town, the Medieval Jewish quarter if you will,  of Girona. Maybe not a great time for you to visit right now, as the filming of Game of Thrones continues into mid-September with many areas beng closed, but all year round Girona and it’s old town are a great place to wander. At the heart of the intricate network of cobbled streets, towering above the Medieval Jewish quarter that winds around it, stands Girona Cathedral.

Girona Cathedral is a significant work of Gothic architecture since its construction began in the 11th century. Girona Cathedral’s prominence especially rose in the 15th century when architects added what is still, today,  the largest Gothic nave in the world and the second largest nave overall, behind St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Inside Girona Cathedral there are several relics dating back to the 11th century as well as ancient saint shrines, an ivory throne made for King Charlemagne and the Tapestry of the Creation, a very rare surviving tapestry from the era depicting the creation of the world, months of the year and Biblical characters.

Girona Cathedral

Curiously, Girona has not not only inspired the modern day Game of Thrones, the Cathedral inspired even Antoni Gaudi!  On the Apse façade of Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the chapel of the Assumption will be built, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin, which is especially popular in Catalonia. This project is inspired by an existing one in Girona cathedral and includes the crown dedicated to the Virgin, the pillars that form the  structure and the curtains hanging from it, as well as the angels that are represented on the Girona model.

 

Explore the beautiful city of Girona on a private Gourmet, Wine and Cultural Tour of Spain like our Romantic Spain Luxury Private Tour which takes you within Girona cathedral’s courtyard and the Roman walls behind it  – a beautifully peaceful journey through the history of Gothic art as well as visits to medieval villages, prestigious wineries and the chance to dine Michelin style.

Girona, The colourful riverside homes, Cathedral and Sant Felix

Read more about Girona on our blog post:  Girona, Spain – Little City, BIG heart

The Michelin Guide to Spain and Portugal 2015 is just days away! We’ll keep you updated with the results of the Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain for 2015 on Wednesday, but in the meantime we’re showcasing some of the Best Michelin starred Chefs in Spain, if not the World! Our own Pre-Michelin Guide Spain 2015 SuperChef Series by Gourmand Breaks is an insight into the world of some of the current Michelin 3 star and Michelin 2 star chefs in Spain!

Previously, we showcased Michelin 3 star chefs Juan Mari Arzak, Martín Berasategui, Carme Ruscalleda, Quique Dacosta and David Muñoz plus Michelin 2 star chefs Paco Pérez, Andoni Luis Aduritz and Jordi Cruz.  In no particular order, today a Michelin 3 Starred chef with one of the Best Restaurants in the World and 2 expert side-kicks:

Joan Roca– Proudly heads the cuisine at Michelin 3 star restaurant El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, which is also placed 2nd in the Top 50 restaurants of the World list for 2014 by Restaurant magazine.  To be enjoyed on one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours :)

Joan Roca

Joan Roca was born in 1964 in Girona. His earliest memories of cooking are with his mother in the kitchen of their family owned restaurant  “Can Roca”, which opened in 1967 serving traditional Catalan cuisine. It is no surprise, therefore, that Joan Roca along with his brothers,  Josep and Jordi, ended up in the restaurant business.

Joan Roca studied at culinary school in Girona and worked at Georges Blanc in Vonnas as well as with Ferran Adrià at El Bulli.

In 1986 Joan Roca, along with his brothers, opened El Celler de Can Roca, next door to their parents’ restaurant Can Roca. The restaurant, however, was small, it was a tight, ill-suited space, with a small kitchen and a modest decor. In 2007 El Celler de Can Roca moved, basically down the road, to its current purpose built building with a kitchen large enough for 30 chefs and a dining room featuring wooden floors and simply dressed tables. The word “Roca” in the Catalan (and Spanish) language means “Rock” so on each table sits three stones which represent the three Roca brothers.

El Celler de Can Roca serves traditional Catalan cuisine, but with creative twists and unusual presentations via avant-garde and molecular gastronomy techniques. The wine cellar at El Celler de Can Roca restaurant  is extensive to say the least and houses around 60,000 bottles.

El Celler de Can Roca entered the Michelin starred restaurant  world in Spain with its first Michelin star in 1995. In 2002 El Celler de Can Roca received it’s second Michelin star and in 2009 the 3rd star arrived making El Celler de Can Roca the Michelin 3 star restaurant that it is today.

In 2006 El Celler de Can Roca entered the acclaimed Worlds Best 50 restaurants list, compiled by Restaurant Magazine, in 21st place, rising to 11th place in 2007 and then falling to 26th place in 2008.  In 2009 El Celler de Can Roca rose to 5th place and since then has always appeared in the Top 10 with it reaching the Number 1 spot, THE Best Restaurant in the World, in 2013. El Celler de Can Roca is currently, for 2014, placed in 2nd place behind Noma by René Redzepi, in Copenhagen.

Joan Roca dish

But, as mentioned, Joan Roca is not a solo artist here at Michelin 3 star restaurant El Celler de Can Roca. While Joan oversees the cuisine, his 2 younger brothers complete the restaurant with Josep selecting the wines and Jordi handling the pastry.

The 3 musketeers, or Rocateers if you will, react and interact with each other, combining their fortes, to present one the World’s Best Restaurants and Michelin 3 Starred restaurant El Celler de Can Roca:

Josep Roca – the middle brother and sommelier

Wine pairings are important and are evident in many of the signature dishes of El Celler de Can Roca, which are the result of a close collaboration between Josep and Joan – Josep breaks down the notes of a wine and Joan creates a dish to complement it.

Jordi Roca – the youngest brother and dessert chef

Desserts at El Celler de Can Roca also take on a modern twist.  Jordi Roca also studied at the Girona School of Hotel Industry and when finished he joined The Celler team. Here in the pastry and desserts section, he got to know Damian Allsop and discovered the secret of the craft of pastry. In 2000 when Allsop left El Celler de Can Roca, Jordi Roca became the manager of the restaurant desserts.  Jordi Roca is also the driving force behind Rocambolesc, an alternative but affordable vintage style ice cream shop in the center of Girona.

Also by the Roca Brothers:

Mas Marroch – located on the outskirts of Girona it is the El Celler de Can Roca branch for banquets and celebrations. It is a 15th century masia surrounded by nature in the middle of fruit trees offering El Celler de Can Roca classic contempory cuisine for banquets and celebrations.

Roca Moo – Barcelona

Michelin 1 star restaurant in the Hotel Omm, Barcelona. Modern Catalan cuisine with a special twist, overseen by El Celler de Can Roca.

Roca Bar – Barcelona

Casual yet creative cuisine served in the lobby bar of the Hotel Omm, Barcelona. The Roca brothers take on street-food that also inludes an oyster bar and hand sliced Joselito ham.

El Somni  a cross-media creation taking several forms: an ultimate dining experience, the making of a film, the conception of two exhibitions and the publishing of a book.  All outlining the process of creation and adventure and a union between the arts and the kitchen at the service of thought.

El Celler de Can Roca On Tour – In August of 2014 El Celler de Can Roca  hit the road, literally, staff and all, with “Roca & Roll,” the Rocas’ response to numerous requests to open restaurants worldwide, bringing El Celler on a culinary tour to cities across the globe. This year, with the collaboration of the financial group BBVA, they took their skills to the United States, to Houston and Dallas, before going south to the Mexican cities of Monterrey and Mexico City, followed by Bogotá, Colombia and ended in Lima, Peru.

Celler de Can Roca

With Spanish Chefs taking the World by storm, now is the time to visit Spain, home to 10% of the World’s Best Restaurants and numerous Michelin starred Restaurants!  On one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours you can indulge in the Best Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain.  Contact us for your personalized quote.

The Michelin Guide to Spain and Portugal 2015 is fast approaching and we’ll keep you updated with the results of the Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain for 2015! In the meantime, over the next few days we’ll be showcasing some of the Best Michelin starred Chefs in Spain, if not the World, with our own Pre-Michelin Guide Spain 2015 SuperChef Series by Gourmand Breaks – An insight into the world of some of the current Michelin 3 star and Michelin 2 star chefs in Spain! First off, and in no particular order, a chef shooting for that 3rd Michelin star in 2015 with 2 contenders:

Paco Pérez – Recognized with five Michelin stars (two at Enoteca restaurant in Barcelona, two at Miramar in Llançà and one at restaurant “5”  in Berlin), his innovative cuisine reflects the essence of the Mediterranean Sea with cooking based on tradition and high quality local Spanish produce.  To be enjoyed on one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours :)

Paco Pèrez - Miramar

Paco Pérez was born in Huelva but at just 6 months old his family moved to Llançà in Girona, a small fishing village on the Spanish North Costa Brava coast, where he subsequently grew up.

At age 12, Paco Pérez discovered his passion for cooking when he started helping out, at weekends and in the holidays, at the tapas bar owned by his family in Llançà. He then combined his studies with summer jobs in various local restaurants.

After finishing his studies Paco Pérez worked in diverse local restaurants and even went to France to train alongside one of the founders of “nouvelle cuisine” Michel Guèrard. But what most probably set Paco Pérez on the culinary Superchef path was when he returned to Catalonia and joined Ferran Adrià at El Bulli in 1993.  Here, and over 5 years, he took various courses and placements and acquired much of his philosophy of pioneering techno-emotional cuisine.

In 1997 Paco Pérez married Montse Serra, daughter of the owners of the Miramar Hotel-Restaurant on the seafront promenade of Llançà, Girona, Spain and together, keeping it in the family, they embraced the development of the Miramar. After three years of producing modern Catalan cuisine, during just the summer season, they decided to up the stakes and open all year round in the hope of turning this place into a landmark restaurant in the world of pioneering cuisine.

Chipirones - Miramar

 

Paco Pérez, together with his wife, managed to gradually convert the Miramar from the past traditional restaurant of a hostal, first opened in 1939, into the avant-garde cuisine restaurant that it is today. Betting on traditional and local cooking using high quality products from an ideal environment Paco Pérez’s talent, technique and innovative twists on traditional seafood dishes have earned the Miramar its current two Michelin stars (2006 and 2010).

Also for Paco Pérez in the Michelin 2* Restaurants List for Spain 2014 is:

Enoteca Restaurant in Barcelona

Paco Pérez spreads the heart and soul of contemporary Mediterranean cuisine by bringing the essence of the Miramar and its culinary philosophy, with an emphasis on fish and seafood, to the luxurious 5* Hotel Arts in Barcelona. His guidance at Enoteca, for contemporary cuisine with a traditional base, top quality ingredients and excellent attention to detail,  has led to it receiving two Michelin stars since the 2013 Michelin Guide.

Michelin 2 star restaurant Enoteca offers a contemporary classic Mediterranean cuisine with outstanding quality and imagination and a wine cellar that features more than 500 types of wine.

Paco Pérez is not the only Superchef with a restaurant at the Hotel Arts in Barcelona. Sergi Arola, of Michelin 2* Restaurant Sergi Arola Gastro (Madrid) fame, showcases innovative tapas style traditional Mediterranean cuisine at “Arola”.  Sergi is a disciple of Ferran Adrià and Pierre Gagnaire.

Also by PACO PÉREZ:

Restaurant 5Das Stue 5* Hotel (Berlin)

This Michelin 1 star restaurant is the extension of the Miramar Restaurant into Germany. It is named after Paco Pérez’s focus on the five senses, and also a reference to the five fingers of the hand, because the kitchen produces pioneering works of culinary art.

Mirror RestaurantThe Mirror Hotel (Barcelona)

One of the best restaurants in Spain for luxury rice and seafood dishes,  in the heart of Barcelona.

L’EGGS Restaurant by Paco PérezPasseig de Gràcia (Barcelona)

The first gastronomic themed restaurant in Barcelona featuring eggs as the star dish. A fun and casual restaurant offering eggs in all their formats.

La Royale RestaurantUptown Barcelona

Upscale hamburgers in uptown Barcelona.  La Royale presents a revolution of the concept of a hamburger in the city, with signature ideas and the best refreshing gin and tonics.

Black Restaurant – Uptown Barcelona

The cosmopolitan Manhattan-esque cocktail lounge at La Royale. Offering the signature Burgers of La Royale as well as the best vodka & tonics and a great champagne collection.

 

With Spanish Chefs taking the World by storm, now is the time to visit Spain, home to 10% of the World’s Best Restaurants and numerous Michelin starred Restaurants!  On one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours you can indulge in the Best Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain.  Contact us for your personalized quote.