Pedro Subijana: "El cambio funciona siempre que haya honestidad"

Pedro Subijana, a renowned chef, has recently premiered a documentary about his life in the San Sebastian International Film Festival, the Culinary Zinema section. The film, directed by Jorge Fernández Mayoral and Jesús Javier Ruiz Aquerreta, aims to provide an intimate and personal portrait of Subijana, focusing on his career, role as a key figure in the New Cooking movement in the Basque region, and his contributions to Spanish gastronomy.

The chef, born in 1948, celebrated his 50th year in the industry, including his tenure at Akelarre and the Nueva Cocina Vasca. The documentary captures family moments, archival footage, and milestones in his career, without intending to create such a film initially. Subijana acknowledges the documentary as a partial recap of his career but confirms that it accurately represents many years of hard work.

The chef emphasizes the importance of honesty and good practice in creating a new style of cooking, stating that the Nueva Cocina Vasca laid foundational principles that have since influenced the broader Spanish culinary scene.