1x02 | ENEKO ATXA: From Grandma’s Kitchen to the Michelin Constellation

Eneko Atxa has many childhood memories linked to the kitchen. The kitchen used to be the heart of the home; a place to learn and listen to stories. Indeed, he would spend hours as a child listening to his mother and grandmother chatting, surrounded by delightful aromas.

Certainly, gastronomy holds immense significance in Basque culture: “In the Basque Country, everything happens around the table; it is something almost spiritual to us.” This is the belief of Atxa, who heads the renowned Azurmendi restaurant, which has three Michelin stars. In addition to the one in Larrabetzu, he also runs restaurants in Bilbao, Madrid, Seville, and even Tokyo.

What flavours and colours does the Basque Country have? How has Azurmendi achieved such success? Is the pressure of running a high-end restaurant manageable? The Basque chef has long considered the greatness of reaching the summit, and after achieving his goal, he recognises that the journey has been the most gratifying aspect. Now, he is focused on enjoying the moment.