Akelare

After nearly forty years, Pedro Subijana, the three-star Michelin chef and his world-famous restaurant, Akelare, is at the forefront of the New Basque Cuisine, championed in the 70s by Juan Mari Arzak. In the words of Subijana, 'New Basque Cuisine aims to focus on seasonal products but adding a large dose of imagination and pushing back the frontiers'. This movement planted the seed of what was to become the avant-garde of Spanish gastronomy. Recipes were updated but always based on respect for Basque tradition and the best possible local produce. Above all, he says, 'Throughout the meal, we take care of every last detail to ensure that the occasion is a memorable one'. His continued devotion to his profession leads him to change the menus at his restaurant every two months. His restaurant Akelare (a Basque word that has entered the Spanish language, meaning a coven of witches) is in a spectacular location on the slopes of the Monte Igueldo, one of the symbols of the beautiful city of San Sebastian, and looks over Concha Bay, the island of Santa Clara and the Bay of Biscay; it has got to be one of the most special places for a meal anywhere in the world. Here in this visually stunning edition you will find some of the culinary creations of Akelare from the last ten years and also excellence, innovation and the avant garde, three terms that could define Akelare's style, as well as an insight into the work of the kitchen and its extensive team. Subijana was recently awarded the National Prize for Gastronomy in recognition of his contribution to Basque cuisine. www.akelarre.net/en