After twelve years of courtship by The Macallan, the masters of Catalan gastronomy are opening an exclusive restaurant in the Highlands: The Macallan TimeSpirit El Celler de Can Roca.
The News
The Roca brothers, undisputed stars of world cuisine, are preparing to write a new chapter in their extraordinary culinary adventure. On October 31, 2024, they will open their first restaurant abroad, a project that has taken twelve years of planning and will result in a prestigious partnership with the historic distillery The Macallan. Thus was born The Macallan TimeSpirit El Celler de Can Roca, a small jewel of world gastronomy located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, precisely in Craigellachie, where the distillery's iconic building recently opened.
A collaboration that comes from afar
The idea of opening a restaurant in Scotland, 7Canibales reports, did not come out of the blue, but rather after a long collaboration between El Celler de Can Roca and The Macallan. Joan Roca, the eldest of the three brothers, says the Scottish whiskey company has been “wooing” themfor more than a decade, offering them the challenge of taking their culinary excellence outside the Spanish borders. “We aim for the highest gastronomic level,” said Joan Roca, highlighting the ambition that characterizes this new venture.
The restaurant, which will have only 30 seats, is distinguished by its intimate philosophy and absolute attention to detail. The culinary offerings, designed by the Rocas to celebrate local culture and flavors, will include refined dishes using traditional Scottish products combined with the avant-garde techniques typical of the famous Catalan restaurant. Joan Roca is fascinated by local raw materials such as scallops, razor clams, and langoustines, but also by the famous haggis, the traditional Scottish sausage made from sheep's innards, which will be revisited in a gourmet way. Among the planned creations will be lamb cooked in clay, a dish that blends traditional cooking with modern techniques.
A sensory journey between wine and whiskey
The dining experience will be a sensory journey that will include a tasting menu and an a la carte menu, all enhanced by an exclusive selection of wines and whiskies. Josep Roca, world-renowned sommelier and cellar master, will curate a wine list featuring fine Jerez, and a collection of some 80,000 bottles of whiskies that will enhance the dishes with unique pairings. "We are doing this in a house that aims for excellence, as we do, ” explains Joan Roca, emphasizing how this collaboration represents an opportunity for growth and a new learning path for the brothers. But why Scotland of all places? “They courted us for 12 years,” explains Joan Roca. “We have been traveling the world with The Macallan, inspiring new whiskies and even writing a book on Scottish cuisine. This restaurant is a way to share knowledge and create synergies."
A new milestone for a gastronomic empire
The opening of The Macallan TimeSpirit El Celler de Can Roca marks another step in the expansion of their gastronomic empire, which traces its roots back to 1977, when the Roca parents opened the modest Can Roca in Girona. Since then, the brothers have transformed their restaurant, El Celler de Can Roca, into one of the world's most acclaimed gastronomic destinations, earning three Michelin stars and the title of best restaurant in the world in 2013 and 2015. In addition to the famous El Celler, the Roca's universe also includes Espai Mas Marroc, dedicated to events; Rocambolesc, an ice cream and pastry shop; Casa Cacao, a chocolate factory and boutique hotel; and Normal, a restaurant that celebrates the simplicity of cuisine. Recently, they launched Vii, a wine bar dedicated to natural wines, which accompanies tapas prepared from their mother's recipes.
With The Macallan TimeSpirit, the Roca brothers continue to evolve, enthusiastically taking on new challenges without losing sight of their mission: to celebrate tradition, explore innovation, and bring the best of world cuisine to tables that tell stories of culture and flavor.
