Mauro Colagreco, an Italo-Argentinian chef of Abruzzese origins, has gained his professional expertise in France, distinguishing himself as an exceptional figure in the international culinary scene. The diversity of his educational background and his talent have created a unique cuisine that captivates and delights palates around the world. With his restaurant "Mirazur," Colagreco continues to amaze guests with creative, seasonal, and unforgettable dishes while maintaining a special connection with his Italian roots and culinary traditions.
Mauro Colagreco was born in 1976 in La Plata, Argentina, into a family of Italian heritage. His grandparents were from Guardiagrele, a small village in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo, and they passed on to Mauro their love for the gastronomic culture of the peninsula.
Colagreco took his first steps in the kitchen in Buenos Aires. He trained at the "Gato Dumas" school and simultaneously worked in some of the city's most renowned restaurants, including "Catalinas," "Rey Castro," "Mariani," and "Azul Profundo."
In 2001, he moved to Paris, where he had the opportunity to learn from great masters such as Bernard Loiseau, with whom he worked until 2003, Alain Passard, and Alain Ducasse.
It was in France that his career began to take shape, along with the gastronomic philosophy behind his dishes.
In 2006, Mauro moved to the beautiful French Riviera, in Menton, where he oversaw the renovation of a Mediterranean-facing building from the 1950s to set his restaurant into. The "Mirazur" quickly became a benchmark for gastronomy lovers. Within a few months of opening, Colagreco was recognized as the "Revelation of the Year" by the Gault Millau guide, and a year later, the first MICHELIN Star arrived.
In 2009, "Mirazur" earned a well-deserved place among the top fifty best restaurants in the world according to the S.Pellegrino list, and Mauro was named "Chef of the Year" by the prestigious Gault & Millau guide, becoming the first non-French chef to receive this title.
Over the years, Colagreco's success and that of his restaurant continued to grow. In 2010, "Mirazur" received 4 Gault & Millau toques, and two years later, it was awarded the second MICHELIN Star, followed by a third Star and a green star for sustainability.
Since 2016, "Mirazur" has climbed the ranks of the 50 Best Restaurants, reaching sixth, fourth, and third place. It was voted the "1st Best Restaurant in the World" in 2019.
Colagreco has been appointed Chevalier des arts et des lettres and has become a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux with the restaurant's entry into the prestigious society. Since 2016, Mauro has also been a judge on the television program "Top Chef Italia."
Despite his international fame, Mauro's cuisine and philosophy remain rooted in local culinary traditions. His cooking is characterized by a creative approach and the use of seasonal ingredients harvested from the surrounding gardens of the restaurant and local products from the Menton area. The combination of high-quality ingredients and refined culinary techniques makes Colagreco's dishes a unique experience for the most discerning palates.
In addition to "Mirazur," Mauro owns and manages other renowned restaurants in different parts of the world, such as "Unico" in Shanghai, "Brasserie Grandcoeur" in Paris, and "Carne Hamburgesas" in Buenos Aires and La Plata. Colagreco represents a model of excellence in the international culinary landscape.
Mauro balances his chef work with family life. He is married to Julia Colagreco, with whom he has two sons, Luca and Valentin.
