The house where you´d find Restaurante Arzak was built at the end of the nineteenth century. It´s a silent witness to the evolution of a basque cuisine that developed over more than a century of family tradition. Today, this house is a temple for a leading world cuisine. Juan Mari Arzak continues to fully navigate this historical endeavor while constantly looking towards the future.
A lifetime in this house...
This house was built by my grandfather. I was born here and have lived here all my life. My uncle built a tavern in the lowest level. Later, my parents continued on here.Then me, and now my daughter, Elena, is the one that continues with the tradition in this same house.
There is a lot of tradition and history, but you
were amongst the pioneers in the so called “New Basque Cuisine.”
Exactly. We started with this idea in 1975 at a culinary roundtable that was organized by Gourmet magazine.
Wasn´t this a risk during a time of full-on political and social transition in Spain in the 70s?
Yes, it was a little difficult. I had some luck and the restaurant was run by my mother (I lost my dad when I was 9). She mostly cooked for weddings and she was really well known. She allowed me to occupy a small dining room in which I was able to present my proposals.
How did your mother handle the change of direction in your career? Initially, you wanted to be a foreman builder.
Well she didn´t take it too well! (He laughs). It