Josean Alija

Josean defines his desserts, just as he does the rest of his cuisine, with the term “Muina”. It signifies a journey to the essence of each ingredient where no element of any creation is positioned artificially or carelessly.

He is one of those cooks who are just different, difficult to classify, unique. It is no coincidence that his restaurant, Nerua, is integrated in the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (Spain), instead, one often has the sensation of feeling an artistic experience when approaching his cuisine. We could possibly define it as a journey to essence, especially the essence of the products from the land, from the vegetable world, which, on his hands, reach their highest potential in terms of minimalism and purity of flavor. It is therefore a risky cuisine, which bets everything on one or at the most two combinations of flavors, and whose main focus is on one simple, crystal-clear idea.

Bio Highlights

2011 – Chef of the Future Award (International Academy of Gastronomy)

2011 – Won its first Michelin star and third Soles (Repsol Guide)

2010 – Conceptual Innovation award

2009 – Best International Chef (Identitá Golosa)

2004 – Best Dessert (Iced bitter cocoa juice with milk and aniseed ice cream), The Best of Gastronomy Congress

2003 – Most Beautiful Dish (Whipped casein with strawberry and violet ice cream), The Best of Gastronomy Congress

2002 – Most Artistic Dish (Foie Gras with candied roasted carrots), The Best of Gastronomy Congress

2000 – Best Young Chef (The Best of Gastronomy Congress) 6th Spanish Championship of Haute Cuisine for Young Chefs, San Sebastián