El Celler De Can Roca Named World’s Top Restaurant

El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain, got the top spot on the annual The World’s 50 Best Restaurants announced Monday in London, beating Noma, Rene Redzepi’s daringly innovative Danish restaurant.

El Celler, which has been run by brothers Joan (head chef), Jordi (pastry chef) and Josep (sommelier) Roca since 1986, was ranked No. 2 in 2011 and 2012.

Recently I shot again the restaurant. The pictures was published on this book:

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I totally agree with all the very many well-deserved, fine compliments which have been paid to you. Well done kids!

 

 

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This is not a Dinner

Ferran Adrià, the Catalan chef, worked a dinner service for the first time since he closed El Bulli, the avant-garde, Michelin-three-star table that was repeatedly named best restaurant in the world. The event in barcelona was titled “This Is Not a Dinner.”

El Bulli received first place in the Restaurant Top 50 in 2002. It was again awarded the first place in 2006, and retained this title in 2007, 2008 and 2009, making a record 5 times in the top spot.

Read the article in the T Magazine

Raspberry fondant with wasabi and raspberry vinegar.

Tutti Pazzi per la Frutta

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Photo contest for children and their families, in Rome from October 7th to November 7th 2013.

The jury selected the best 100 images. As a jury’s director it was a pleasure to take part of it.

Now the pictures are shown in fantastic EATALY Rome. Vernissage: Monday October 7th.

A way of understanding life

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TICKETS Restaurant in Barcelona is the Tapas Bar of Albert Adrià, the young brother of Ferran Adrià. This project was started by Albert, and then he involved Ferran, who was really excited about it because of its cultural importance. Albert Adrià also involved Iglesias’s brothers -Juan Carlos, Borja and Pedro-, owners of Rías de Galicia, which is an emblematic seafood restaurant in Barcelona. Johanna and me had the opportunity to visit the TICKETS Restaurant and we enjoyed the hospitality of Albert and the whole staff. As they say on their web: “For us, la vida tapa is a global concept, a way of understanding life through gastronomy.”
If you want to book a table, you have to do it online 60 days before the date, at www.ticketsbar.es, and follow the instructions.

If you are interested in seeing more pictures, please contact the photographer Stefano Buonamici.

36 Hours in San Sebastián

In July I shot for the New York Times “36 hours in San Sebastián,” a town in north Spain “to fall in love” as write Ingrid Williams in the story published in the Travel Section of the paper on August 4, 2011. Please, see the slide show.

The Cucumber Crisis

The export ban on Spanish produce is crushing the country’s economy, costing its transport and agricultural sector millions.An estimated 3 million kg of fruits and vegetables have rotted since the virus’ outbreak, and produce trucks were turned away as they tried to sell their wares outside Spain.

A story by Johanna Kippo published on The Helsingin Sanomat. In the pict: Manuel Gimenez runs a family enterprise in Almeria, Spain.

 

 

Smoke on the plate

Chef Joan Roca lights sawdust in a small black pipe with a hissing sound. With quick moves, he carefully pumps the smoke onto a plate, under a glass cloche. A strong aroma that brings the idea of fire to one's mind accompanies the aubergine soufflé in a sardine marinade. "The burning beech smoke provokes a reflection on memories related to family gatherings where fire has been present," Joan explains.

El Celler de Can Roca, a restaurant in Girona, Spain, has three Michelin stars and was recently chosen as the second-best restaurant in the world by the British Restaurant magazine. It is pioneering what has become known as emotional cuisine. See the feature gallery online.

Michelin star chefs in Catalonia


Ferran Adrià has been recognized in the last years as the best chef in the world. His legendary talent, creativity and gastronomic innovations have inspired chefs and food-lovers around the world for many years, and make Restaurant El Bulli what it is today.   Read more