The Hotel Maria Cristina, a Luxury Collection hotel, in San Sebastián, announces today that the famous chef Hélène Darroze will take up residence at the Maria Cristina from June to October 2016 by opening “Hélène Darroze at Hotel Maria Cristina”. This ephemeral restaurant will pay tribute to the cuisine of the Basque Country within one of the most important gastronomic destinations in the world.

“Having the chance to create this ephemeral restaurant within the Hotel Maria Cristina is a dream come true. In recent years, I had hoped to one day be able to return to cook in the land of my childhood, the Landes or the Basque Country, where my family had their restaurant for more than a century. San Sebastian has always been part of my history because my paternal grandmother and her family were from Hendaye, a neighboring town of San Sebastian. I have built an important part of my culinary identity in the Basque Country and in particular in this wonderful city of San Sebastian, in which I have been so often and which remains for me one of the most important gastronomic scenes in the world. "

With one Michelin star for her eponymous restaurant in Paris and two stars in London for the restaurant "Hélène Darroze at the Connaught", Hélène Darroze develops a cuisine where the product is always what takes precedence on the plate. The quality, the provenance, the freshness of the ingredient, the producer behind it are all essential criteria for his creations. The cook then seeks to sublimate the product, with the only watchword, respect. This search for excellence in products will also be its inspiration in the elaboration of the menus of the restaurant "Helene Darroze at Hotel Maria Cristina" and will ensure to the guests an exceptional gastronomic experience that they will never forget.

"The Luxury Collection has always sought to make its guests travel, particularly through exceptional culinary experiences" explains Stijn Oyen, the manager of the Hotel Maria Cristina. “We know that most of our customers choose San Sebastian for its incredible gastronomic offer. We are therefore delighted to join forces with Hélène Darroze, in order to provide our foreign customers, but also our local customers, a unique culinary experience inspired by Hélène's Basque roots ”.

With more Michelin-starred restaurants per capita than anywhere else in the world, San Sebastian is the gastronomic capital of the world. “Hélène Darroze at Hotel Maria Cristina” will offer its visitors Hélène's vision of pintxos (traditional tapas from the Basque Country). The dishes will be created every day from seasonal Basque products from local producers. We will of course find some signature dishes from the cook such as the oyster tartare in caviar jelly served with an ice cream of Béarn corn beans, black and creamy rice accompanied by squid with chorizo ​​and a manchego emulsion, but also a foie gras poached in sangria wine and served in a terrine or finally personal interpretations of the traditional ajo-blanco and gazpacho. On the sweet side, the emblematic baba soaked in Bas-Armagnacs Darroze from the family cellar will also be there.

As the great-granddaughter of chefs, cooking is in Hélène Darroze's genes. For her, gastronomy is an opportunity to do everything possible to give happiness. Thus, the chef cooks above all with instinct and emotion and offers dishes faithful to his sensitivity and his experience. Many recipes are inspired by her roots from the South West and the Basque Country, the smallest detail of which represents who she is and what she has become. In addition, Hélène is passionate about discovering new products, new flavors and her cuisine is constantly evolving, in order to always create and innovate.

“Arzak and Berasategui have always been references for me. When I was young I walked past the Maria Cristina in San Sebastian with the hope of one day entering as a host. I am delighted to collaborate with the hotel in order to present my culinary creations to its discerning clients and to celebrate the rich gastronomic culture of the Basque Country! ", explains Hélène Darroze.

As the only 5 star hotel in San Sebastian, the Hotel Maria Cristina has always been an institution in this city since 1912. It was originally designed by the famous French architect Charles Mewès, for Queen Maria Cristina. The establishment is still considered one of the most beautiful hotels in Europe. In 2012, the hotel undertook major renovations to all rooms and common areas. Last year, a new cooking school was launched in partnership with culinary specialists from San Sebastian, offering live cooking sessions, themed gourmet dinners and master classes. The cooking school makes the Maria Cristina an institution, guardian of the culinary treasures of San Sebastian.

"Hélène Darroze at Hotel Maria Cristina" will be open for lunch and dinner, Wednesday to Sunday inclusive, from June 8 to October 30. The temporary restaurant will offer three different menus at € 98, € 125 and € 175 excl. Tax per person.

During major events in San Sebastian, such as the Semana Grande in August, the international film festival in September, or even Gastronomika in October, the ephemeral restaurant will be open 7 days a week.

For more information or to make a reservation, click here or call Maria Cristina at +34 943 43 76 00.

For more information on the Maria Cristina palace, click here