MANILA, Philippines - Who is the Spanish celebrity chef known for his phenomenal new Basque cuisine in his Michelin Star Akelare restaurant?
He was born in San Sebastian, Spain on Nov. 5, 1948. His decision to become a professional chef was a last-minute one, taken just before he was about to start studying medicine at a prestigious university in Pamplona.
He entered the Madrid Hospitality School, then returned to the Basque country where he learned that a new school was to be opened in Zarauz, that of Luis Irizar, whom he names as his mentor.
He opened his restaurant Akelare in 1975 in the slopes of Mount Igueldo, one of the symbols of the beautiful city of San Sebastian.
Once he was in charge of Akelare, he soon found himself involved in one of the most interesting phenomena in Spanish gastronomy, New Basque Cuisine, which started out in the late ‘70s.
The seed was sown by a group of local chefs, under the influence of Paul Bocuse and French nouvelle cuisine, who decided to give a new look to traditional Basque cooking. In his words, “New Basque cuisine aimed to focus on seasonal products, but adding a large dose of imagination and pushing back the frontiers.â€
This movement, under the leadership, among others of Juanmari Arzak, planted the seed of what was to become the avant-garde of Spanish gastronomy. That was when learning new things become a passion. Recipes were updated but always based on respect for Basque tradition and the best possible local produce.
With his restaurant, he more than introduced Basque cuisine, but gave it his own twist, creating a unique cuisine that is distinctly his. Taking inspiration from the land as well as tradition, he made use of modern culinary methods to reinvent traditional Basque dishes and make them more contemporary.
In 1983, he was named as the best chef in the country and he earned a National Prize for Gastronomy Award. Other awards and praises came pouring in — his restaurant was given three Michelin stars and he also became a member of the prestigious Relais and Chateaux. His restaurant was also included in San Pellegrino’s list of best restaurants.
His best advice to amateur chefs? “Do your best to please people. But not necessarily with expensive produce and complicated recipes.â€
Last week’s question: Who is the 20th century Jewish German architect known for his expressionist architecture in the 1920s, as well as for developing a dynamic functionalism in his projects for department stores and cinemas?
Answer: Erich Mendelsohn
Winner: Rosarie de Leon, Paranaque City
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Text your answer to 0915-6486414 with your name and address. One winner will be chosen through a raffle of texts with the correct answer. The winner will receive P2,000 worth of SM gift certificates for use at Our Home, SM Department Store, or SM Supermarket. They can claim their prize at Our Home in SM Megamall. Call the store manager at 634-1943. Bring photocopies of two valid IDs and a clipping of the Design Quiz issue in which you appear as winner.