Madrid's Hotel Villa Magna Appoints New Executive Chef

  • August 8, 2013
Madrid's Hotel Villa Magna Appoints New Executive Chef
Madrid’s five-star Hotel Villa Magna announces the appointment of Rodrigo de la Calle as Executive Chef, overseeing the hotel’s new culinary aspects, in particular for the property’s Restaurante Villa Magna. Beginning October 1st, this celebrated chef will bring his iconic “green revolution" to this luxurious property situated within Madrid’s “Golden Mile.”

De la Calle’s exquisite Michelin-starred cuisine is characterized by his deep respect for the environment. Adapting healthy menus to the opportunities provided by nature itself, De la Calle always uses seasonal products in his cooking, and avoids those that are not ecologically sustainable. His new position at Villa Magna not only brings increased prestige to the hotel, it marks an important step in his career – being tasked for the first time with overseeing the entire culinary program of one of the most exclusive hotels in Madrid.

Originally from Madrid, Rodrigo´s career began at some of the city’s most notable restaurants including L'Hardy, Goizeko Kabi, Romesco and Lur Maitea. Subsequent positions brought him to Elche, working at the Hotel Milenio’s La Taula, where he met botanist Santiago Orts -- director of botanical garden “El Huerto del Cura,” who changed De la Calle’s approach to the kitchen by shedding a new light on the “vegetable world,” and with whom he continues to work with today. Resulting from his work with Orts, De la Calle adapted his cuisine, gradually introducing green dishes and eventually announcing the inception of “Gastrobotanics.” In 2003 he joined Andoni L. Aduriz´s team in Mugaritz, then, in 2004, returned to Levante joining Chef Paco Torreblanca and later Chef Quique Dacosta at El Poblet (today’s Quique Dacosta´s Restaurant). Before opening his restaurant in Aranjuez, De la Calle culminated his training with Chef Martín Berasategui in Lasarte.

De la Calle’s accolades and awards include a Michelin Star, the coveted “Chef Revelation” title at Madrid Fusion, “Chef of the Year” according to the Chamber of Commerce of Madrid, two Suns in the Repsol Guide and previously named “Chef L'Avenir” by the International Academy of Gastronomy.

More information: www.hotelvillamagna.com

View hotel profile: Hotel Villa Magna