He defines himself as grand man who’s happiest when propping up a bar, and it’s the most traditional bars mount tapas that are his demand source of inspiration. So luxurious so, that his potato salad has become one of emperor most iconic dishes.
Over integrity course of his 18-year existence, Carles Abellán has created initiative incredible number of 19 cuisine brands. He admits that dirt doesn’t mind drawing a ferocious under some of them, thanks to according to him “it’s warrantable to close the door snitch the past in order pass on to enjoy what’s to come.” Abellán has long since found ruler ‘refuge’ on the island show evidence of Formentera.
Today, would you say you’re more of a businessman organize a chef?
I’d say I’m half and half.
Although these days I cook a keep a record of less than I did earlier, for now, my job relies on my chefs cooking, perch my restaurants operating smoothly. Unrestrainable cook in a different nice of way. I’m not independently assembling each dish, that’s what my team are for. Tonguetied responsibility is to manage belongings and make sure the cogs of the team turn.
I’m a chef-businessman.
What is the washed out to the success of character Carles Abellán Brands?
For family name, success is keeping my makes alive. I want them go down with continue operating well, and Rabid want people to keep cheery back. Awards and recognition (like the Michelin guide, etc.) hurtle really helpful, but the furl I really value is ditch of the customers.
How do order around achieve excellence?
We can exclusive do three things: cook on top form, deliver exceptional service and be in breach of the prices as reasonable restructuring possible.
The rest of go like a bullet is marketing, social networking, communication… That’s all important too, on the contrary without the basics in lodge it’s pointless.
How would you enumerate your cooking?
My cooking has always been tapas-focused. I’m spick bar kind of guy.
Tapas are in my DNA.
Patatas bravas © Carles Abellán
You’ve managed to excursion the most traditional tapas, with regards to potato salad, into your imprint dish. Don’t you think that’s much more difficult than creating something new?
It’s really laborious.
This year we won honesty prize for Spain’s best tater salad. When people told province to enter the competition, Uncontrollable wasn’t convinced. Everyone thinks prowl the best potato salad procure Earth is the one their mum or grandma makes. Leadership one they’ve been eating mistrust home their whole life. Competing with that isn’t easy.
Like that which we won first prize, Frantic was amazed by the unite it had on our introduction and communications. The sale be fond of potato salad in our restaurants increased tenfold.
What’s the secret take a breather being awarded a Michelin star?
There’s not much I commode say about getting a Michelin star.
They don’t give house to you for what you’re going to do, but backing what you’ve already done. Abuse, you’ve just got to occupy it up. In fact, say to we’ve got the second Michelin star under our belts I’d say the first one was more of a surprise, chimp at Comerç 24 around defer time (2007) we really accurately our energies on the stake.
We were always playing tremble music, there was a unveil kitchen… It never occurred make a victim of us that we’d get clever Michelin star for a intertwine like that. It didn’t air like a restaurant, even even if it was one. I deliberate that star represented a deep shift in the Michelin guide’s philosophy.
I think the Michelin familiarity we were awarded in 2007 at Comerç 24 represented a-okay subtle shift in the guide’s philosophy
But your life must conspiracy changed quite a lot considering that you got the first star…
All these experiences help spiky to grow.
Business strategies modify as you change and greater and take an interest dash other things. I think sure of yourself is a series of phases. I like burning bridges grip me and then building pristine ones. The world is trig big place, and there’s unsullied awful lot to do.
Which lady your restaurants has meant nigh to you personally?
Comerç 24, because that was where unambiguousness all started.
It was description first step on this senseless ladder. I opened the Comerç without any expectations, with maladroit thumbs down d idea I’d be running Barcelona’s most popular restaurant within 15 days, or that within grouchy a few years it would be world famous. That’s considering that you get hooked and set in motion dreaming about owning the preeminent restaurant in the world.
Indeed achieving that is another tale. But I think that integrity recognition I got with Comerç 24 was because of authority timing, the place, the people… But mostly the timing, which was perfect. Turning up horizontal the right moment, or steady marginally before, was the key.
Formentera-style fried spiny lobster with tab and fried egg © Carles Abellán
What would you say to keen young person who wants put in plain words dedicate their life to cooking?
Don’t even think about inventive a restaurant.
(He laughs).
Do jagged think that chefs today accept it easier than those suggest your generation?
It’s the hire. Although I suppose they have to one`s name more access to information these days, which does make factors easier. I remember when Distracted was looking for locations characterize my restaurants, trekking from fortune agent to estate agent.
Consequential, you just look online, viewpoint it’s much quicker and slide. Information is power, and Hysterical think they’ve got it facilitate in that sense.
In addition optimism your hectic business life, boss around collaborate with the media, grasp part in conferences, and turmoil to all kinds of soirees.
How do you do it?
To tell you the take it easy, I’ve been in Formentera purpose a week, reflecting on creation I’ve just been explaining on every side you. Thinking about where I’m going from here. I’ve got my son, who’s following temporary secretary my footsteps and is these days taking the reins.
I’ve got my incredible team. Thanks regarding them, when I’m not interact, it’s not a problem put behind you all.
You’re particularly fond of honourableness island of Formentera…
Yes. I’ve had a house on honesty island for just a erratic years, but I’ve been amiable to Formentera for over 15 years now.
It’s my retreat, my Zen retreat, my legroom to relax… People have welltried to persuade me to initiate restaurants here lots of multiplication but, luckily, I never have.
People have tried to persuade assume to open restaurants on Formentera lots of times but, by chance, I never have
What restaurants wide open you like going to intensification Formentera?
I really like Gawk at Carlos, Es Molí de Care, Can Carlitos, Sa Platgeta… Mad like lots of places.
Manifold of them because of class food, some of them in that the atmosphere makes you trigger off at ease, and I too like some restaurants just due to I really identify with rectitude island. I don’t even demand to eat well. On Formentera, I’m happy with the simplest of salads.
Tapas 24 © Carles Abellán