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Elena Arzak
Chef

Elena Arzak

Famoose for

Continuing and developing Basque cuisine at the family restaurant Arzak.

Arzak

Born
4 July 1969
Birthplace
San Sebastián

More people

Julia ChildMaking French cooking approachable for American home cooks.Gordon RamsayRunning Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and presenting Hell's Kitchen.Anthony BourdainTurning restaurant experience into Kitchen Confidential and television journeys through food and culture.

Elena Arzak

Elena Arzak is a Basque chef who trained internationally before returning to work alongside her father Juan Mari Arzak in San Sebastián.

Early life

Early training

Began helping in the family restaurant at eleven and later attended hotel school in Lucerne.

Career

  1. 1989

    London training

    Worked at Le Gavroche.

  2. International training

    European kitchens

    Trained at restaurants including Le Louis XV, Pierre Gagnaire and elBulli.

  3. 2012

    International recognition

    Named World’s Best Female Chef.

Selected work

Arzak

Became joint head chef of her family’s restaurant.

Beyond work

Public life

Signed a 2020 appeal for a cultural renaissance of the economy.

Languages

Speaks four languages.

Sources & photo creditBiography and career ↗Biographical references ↗

Original photograph. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.

Photo: Javier Lastras. CC BY 2.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.