CHEF
ELENA
ARZAK
Elena Arzak is the fourth generation of her family running the kitchen at the Arzak Restaurant in San Sebastián, holder of three Michelin stars. Schooled in the principles of the New Basque Cuisine Movement espoused by her legendary father, Chef Juan Mari Arzak, and the vanguard of Spanish cuisine that followed at the beginning of this century, her personality is reflected in her culinary creations.
She has established a method of collaborative creativity with her team that feeds Arzak's continuous innovation of Basque cuisine, based on research and contemporary influences.
Elena attended the Swiss Institute for Management & Hospitality in Lucerne, Switzerland, expanding her culinary knowledge in excellent European restaurants such as La Maison Troisgros, Pierre Gagnaire, Carré des Feuillants and Le Vivarois in France, Louis XV in Monte Carlo, Le Gavroche in London, Antica Osteria del Ponte in Italy, and El Bulli in Spain. She returned to the family restaurant in the 1990s, worked her way through the menu while creating original dishes with her father who continuously supported and challenged her.
In May 2001, the International Academy of Gastronomy awarded Elena the Avenir Chef Award. In 2010, the Spanish Academy of Gastronomy awarded her the National Gastronomy Award. Subsequently, in 2012 she was named the World’s Best Female Chef.
Currently, Elena shares the helm at Arzak with her father, Juan Mari. They are cooks and collaborators. Their shared history, culinary knowledge, passion and enthusiasm define the characteristic spirit of their world-renowned restaurant