Restaurant Review - El Lago
El Lago - Star-studded signature cuisine El Lago
It was a rare opportunity to bring together several of Spain’s most talented and accomplished chefs – and El Lago could hardly have been a more appropriate venue. Located in a picturesque setting overlooking a lake opposite the first and second holes of Greenlife Golf in Marbella, the restaurant had only recently been awarded a Michelin star – which meant the third "Cocina de Autor 3" gastronomy week was able to offer fine cuisine from three Michelin-honoured chefs.
The four invited chefs were Vicente Torres, of La Sucursal in Valencia, recent recipient of a star; Juan José Carabajal, head chef at La Costa in Almería, recognised by Michelin this year; Kisko García, who runs El Choco in Córdoba, named by Madrid Fusion as "restaurant revelation of Andalucía" in 2006; and Juan Carlos Clemente, from Poseidón in Tenerife. According to El Lago director Paco García, all four stood out for their youth and training. "They are a reflection of enthusiasm at work, respect for local products and, above all else, passion for what they do. Each one of them, fusing together creativity and tradition, produces cuisine with its own identity."
He could, of course, also have been referring to El Lago’s own Celia Jiménez, who was studying history at Córdoba University when she "discovered her true vocation" and enrolled in Málaga’s renowned Las Cónsula restaurant and hotel school, before moving to El Lago’s kitchen four years ago. Paco García and other colleagues at El Lago also studied at La Cónsula, whose current students created one of the special evening menus during Cocina de Autor 3.
