Elena Arzak, born in San Sebastian in 1969, returned to the Three MICHELIN-Starred "Arzak" in 1996, revolutionizing Basque cuisine with her father Juan Mari. She has won various awards, including “Chef de l'Avenir”, and in 2013, she opened a MICHELIN-Starred restaurant in London. Elena is also known for her commitment to the purple economy.
Born in 1969 in San Sebastian, Elena comes from a family of Basque restaurateurs. The restaurant "Arzak," founded by her great-grandfather José Maria in 1897, has become a gastronomic icon. The management has been passed down through generations, until her father Juan Mari, who made the cuisine of the family business a perfect blend of Basque tradition, refinement, and avant-garde experimentation, earning the first MICHELIN Star in 1974, followed by a second and third in 1977 and 1989.
From a young age, Elena was involved in the family restaurant. At just eleven years old, she began taking her first steps in the kitchen, under the watchful eye of her grandmother, who was a great teacher and source of inspiration for her. After completing her studies at the high school in San Sebastian, Elena decided to refine her culinary skills at the prestigious hospitality school in Lucerne, Switzerland. Subsequently, she completed internships in renowned European restaurants such as "Le Gavroche" with Albert Roux, "Louis XV" by Alain Ducasse, "Pierre Gagnaire," and Ferran Adrià's "El Bulli," a friend and collaborator of Juan Mari.
Facing the culinary world with determination and commitment, Elena returned to San Sebastian in 1996. She worked in all areas of the "Arzak" kitchen, and since 1998, she has been assisting her father as a chef, often having the opportunity to make decisions within the restaurant, showcasing her extraordinary talent and limitless creativity.
In 2001, she received the "Chef de l'Avenir" award from the International Academy of Gastronomy, and the following years brought further success. In 2010, she was honored with the National Gastronomy Award by the Spanish Academy of Gastronomy. In 2011, she had the opportunity to shine at The Restaurant Show in London, England, and a year later, she was named the Best Female Chef in the world by Veuve Clicquot. Elena has managed to balance her professional career with her personal life, finding joy and inspiration in her relationship with her partner and motherhood. Her family has always been at the center of her priorities. Despite her tremendous success, Elena has currently set aside the idea of opening another restaurant on her own. However, she co-founded "Ametsa with Arzak Instructions" in London in 2013, a restaurant that pays tribute to local cuisine and the gastronomic diversity of the United Kingdom, which also earned a MICHELIN Star.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Elena Arzak has shown significant social commitment. In June 2020, she signed a plea in favor of the purple economy along with other chefs, architects, Nobel laureates in economics, and leaders of international organizations. This important document, published in renowned newspapers such as Corriere della Sera, El País, and Le Monde, attests to Elena's broad influence not only in the culinary field but also in wider realms. Between 2020 and 2023, Elena Arzak further solidified her successful career, demonstrating her talent, passion, and dedication. Her influence and prestige continue to grow, while her name remains synonymous with excellence and innovation in the world of gastronomy.
