Chef Paulo Airaudo has built a career that has made him a prominent figure in the international gastronomic scene. His restaurant empire is based in Spain, starting with the Two MICHELIN-starred "Amelie," but it extends to Hong Kong, passing through Bogotá and London. By learning from and drawing upon all the culinary cultures he knows, Airaudo has created a restaurant for every new creative inspiration.
Paulo Airaudo was born in 1985 in Córdoba, Argentina, to a family of Italian immigrants. With a love for fine cuisine, he left his hometown to pursue his true passion upon reaching adulthood. The young chef worked in various countries around the world, including Mexico, Peru, and Europe, where he gained experience in renowned MICHELIN-starred restaurants like "Arzak" in San Sebastián, "The Fat Duck" in London, and "Magnolia" in Italy.
In May 2015, together with a partner, he inaugurated "La Bottega" in Geneva, a restaurant that earned a MICHELIN Star just five months after its opening. However, at the beginning of 2017, the desire for his own project brought him back to San Sebastian, where he opened the restaurant "Amelie," combining flavors, textures, and memories from over a decade of culinary experience. Only seven months after its opening, the establishment earned its first MICHELIN Star, followed by a second in 2021, after reopening in front of La Concha Bay.
Paulo's projects have also taken shape thanks to the establishment of the "Amelia Group," which, for the chef, is more than just a restaurant chain; it is a family that shares values and principles. Collaboration with suppliers, often small-scale entities, allows for the offering of high-quality products to customers. Paulo's philosophy focuses on the use of seasonal and sustainable ingredients, as well as the appreciation of forgotten products.
The group includes numerous establishments, mostly in San Sebastian, of which the chef says, "My family loves San Sebastian. I love San Sebastian. We are happy here. At the same time, this magical city has the eyes of chefs and food enthusiasts worldwide upon it, and in a way, it allows me to offer my food to the world."
In San Sebastian, they have opened: "Amelia," with Two MICHELIN Stars, dedicated to Paulo's daughter, "1985 Cantina Argentina," opened in 2019, along with the Italian restaurant "Da Filippo," "La Bottega di Filippo," opened in 2021 as an informal place for aperitifs and pizza al taglio, the lounge bar "The Blind Pig," and finally, "El Bar" in the "Villa Favorita" hotel. In Barcelona, there is "Aleia," which opened in 2021 and has already earned One MICHELIN Star.
The chef's empire extends to Hong Kong, with "Noi," opened in 2022 at the "Four Seasons Hotel," as well as "Haku," the fusion Japanese and Latin American restaurant, "Amelia HK," and "Da Filippo HK."
In Bogotá, Colombia, Paulo opened "Anima" in 2022, located in the new Gastronomic Complex of the Seratta Group. In London, on the other hand, there is the Two MICHELIN-starred "Da Terra," which the chef started in collaboration with Brazilian colleague Rafael Cagali.
Paulo's entrepreneurial spirit is undeniable, and the achieved results are the product of the chef's perseverance. He states, "For me, learning from mistakes is essential. I believe an error doesn't become a failure until you refuse to correct it. Every mistake represents an opportunity for growth and improvement, always maintaining a positive attitude and focusing on achieving success in each of my restaurants."
