Romain Fornell is a French chef based in Barcelona, holder of a Michelin star at his restaurant Caelis and one of the most respected figures on the city’s fine-dining scene. Born in Toulouse, he earned his first Michelin star in France at just 24 – one of the youngest chefs in Europe to do so – before making Barcelona his home.
Uniting French technique with the produce and spirit of Catalonia, Fornell became the only French chef to hold Michelin stars in both France and Spain, and today leads a group of restaurants across Barcelona.
TL;DR
- French chef, born in Toulouse in 1976
- One of the youngest chefs in Europe to win a Michelin star, at 24
- Chef-owner of Caelis in Barcelona (1 Michelin star)
- The only French chef with Michelin stars in both France and Spain
- Co-founder of the Gout Rouge restaurant group
Romain Fornell key facts
| Born | 1976, Toulouse, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Restaurant | Caelis, Barcelona (1 Michelin star) |
| First star | 2001, in France, aged 24 |
| Known for | Contemporary French-Catalan cuisine |
From Toulouse to a first star
Romain Fornell trained at the Toulouse School of Hospitality, where he was named Best Young Chef of the Midi-Pyrenees, and worked alongside leading French chefs such as Michel Sarran and Alain Ducasse. In 2001, at just 24, he earned his first Michelin star, making him one of the youngest starred chefs in Europe.
Caelis and Barcelona
Since 2002 Fornell has been based in Barcelona. He opened Caelis in 2004 and earned a Michelin star the following year, becoming the only French chef to hold stars in both France and Spain. Today he also directs the gastronomic spaces at the Hotel Ohla Barcelona.
A group of restaurants
In 2019 Fornell co-founded the Gout Rouge group, which has grown to include several restaurants across Barcelona, from the fine-dining Caelis to more casual and rooftop venues. In 2025 he was awarded the French Legion of Honour in recognition of his career and contribution to gastronomy.
Signature style
Fornell’s cooking is contemporary, reinterpreting both tradition and the avant-garde. He combines the rigour of French haute cuisine with Catalan and Mediterranean produce, creating refined, elegant dishes. It is a cross-border cuisine that has made him a bridge between French and Spanish gastronomy.
Romain Fornell in context
Fornell is one of Barcelona’s leading chefs featured on Pickup Table 4, alongside Catalan names such as Carles Gaig and Nandu Jubany.
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Romain Fornell FAQ
Who is Romain Fornell?
A French chef based in Barcelona, chef-owner of the Michelin-starred Caelis.
Where is he from?
Toulouse, in France.
How many Michelin stars does Caelis have?
One.
Why is he notable?
He is the only French chef with Michelin stars in both France and Spain.
What is his style?
Contemporary French-Catalan cuisine.
