Martín Berasategui
Martín Berasategui | |
|---|---|
| Born | Spain |
| Occupation | Chef |
| Known for | Basque cuisine, Michelin-starred restaurants |
Martín Berasategui Olazábal is a distinguished Spanish chef renowned for his expertise in Basque cuisine. He owns the eponymous restaurant located in Lasarte-Oria, Spain, which has maintained three Michelin stars since 2001. Overall, he has been awarded twelve Michelin stars, the highest number held by any Spanish chef.
Biography
At the age of 14, Berasategui began his culinary journey working in his family’s establishment, Bodegón Alejandro. During the early stages of his career, the Basque Country lacked any Michelin-starred dining venues. By 17, he pursued pastry training in France. He assumed control of his parents’ restaurant by the time he was 20 and secured his first Michelin star at 25.
In 1993, he launched Restaurante Martín Berasategui in Lasarte-Oria. This restaurant achieved its third Michelin star in 2001 and was ranked 29th among the world's top restaurants by Restaurant magazine in both 2008 and 2011.
As of 2013, Berasategui holds more Michelin stars than any other chef from Spain: three stars at Restaurante Martín Berasategui, three at Restaurante Lasarte in Barcelona, and two at M.B. in Tenerife. The M.B. restaurant, situated within the Ritz Carlton Abama resort, received its inaugural star in 2010. His sibling establishment Oria in Barcelona also boasts one Michelin star. In addition to these four starred restaurants, he owns six more venues internationally, including sites in the Dominican Republic and Mexico, with plans announced for expansion into Costa Rica in 2014.
In acknowledgment of his culinary contributions, François Rabelais University bestowed upon Berasategui an honorary doctorate in culinary studies in 2013, marking the first occasion that this academic institution honored chefs with such a degree.
