Francis Paniego

Chef at El Portal de Echaurren** (Ezcaray, La Rioja, Spain)

Paniego would not exist without La Rioja, and La Rioja's cuisine would not be as highly prized without this chef to pamper it and make a fuss of it.

Francis Paniego learned his art in our country's best restaurants, but has always had close links to the traditional cuisine and produce of his native La Rioja. Francis is proud of his initial influences and chef's DNA from his mother, Marisa Sánchez, a famous exponent of the traditional excellent fare of La Rioja.

Tradition which is a feature of the cookery at Paniego's two restaurants: El Portal de Echaurren (two Michelin stars and three Repsol "Soles") and Echaurren Tradición (one Repsol "Sol"). Both are located at Hotel Echaurren, which has been a family business for 5 generations, recently refurbished and associated with quality club Relais & Chateaux, in the town of Ezcaray.

This La Rioja chef also acts as gastronomy advisor at the Hotel Marqués de Riscal in Elciego (Álava), which won a Michelin star in 2012. He likewise advises Andorra's Hotel Hermitage, which earned its first Michelin star in 2022, and also Andorra's first.