Albert Raurich is a Barcelona chef who spent eleven years at the legendary elBulli – seven of them as head chef to Ferran Adria – before opening his own restaurant, Dos Palillos. There he united the tapas culture of Spain with the flavours and techniques of Asia, creating one of the city’s most original and acclaimed dining experiences.
Bringing avant-garde training to a personal fusion of Mediterranean and Asian cooking, Raurich has become one of the most distinctive voices in modern Barcelona gastronomy.
TL;DR
- Catalan chef, born in Barcelona in 1970
- Spent 11 years at elBulli, 7 as head chef to Ferran Adria
- Opened Dos Palillos in Barcelona in 2008 (1 Michelin star)
- Fuses Spanish tapas culture with Asian cuisine
- Later opened Dos Pebrots, focused on Mediterranean cooking
Albert Raurich key facts
| Born | 1970, Barcelona |
| Nationality | Spanish (Catalan) |
| Restaurant | Dos Palillos, Barcelona (1 Michelin star) |
| At elBulli | 1996 to 2007, head chef from 1999 |
| Known for | Spanish-Asian fusion cuisine |
Eleven years at elBulli
Albert Raurich was born in Barcelona in 1970 and studied at the city’s School of Hospitality. After early experience in local restaurants he joined Ferran Adria’s elBulli, where he spent eleven years – serving as head chef from 1999 to 2007 during the restaurant’s most celebrated era of culinary innovation.
Dos Palillos
In 2008 Raurich opened Dos Palillos in Barcelona with his partner Tamae Imachi, a Japanese sommelier who had also worked at elBulli. The restaurant unites the best of Asian and Mediterranean culinary cultures, built around tapas and Asian cooking – primarily Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai – and earned a Michelin star.
A second restaurant
In 2017 Raurich opened Dos Pebrots, also in Barcelona. Unlike Dos Palillos, its cuisine is faithful to Mediterranean cooking, exploring the history and origins of the region’s dishes. Together the two restaurants show the breadth of his interests and technique.
Signature style
Raurich’s style combines the avant-garde discipline of elBulli with a genuine love of Asian flavours and traditions. At Dos Palillos he serves precise, playful small plates that cross continents, blending Spanish tapas culture with the techniques of the Far East – one of the most original cuisines in Barcelona.
Albert Raurich in context
Raurich is one of Barcelona’s most original chefs featured on Pickup Table 4, part of the elBulli legacy alongside chefs such as Xavier Pellicer and Romain Fornell.
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Albert Raurich FAQ
Who is Albert Raurich?
A Barcelona chef, former head chef of elBulli and owner of Dos Palillos.
How long was he at elBulli?
Eleven years, seven of them as head chef.
What is Dos Palillos known for?
Fusing Spanish tapas culture with Asian cuisine.
How many Michelin stars does it have?
One.
What is his other restaurant?
Dos Pebrots, focused on Mediterranean cooking.
