FACT Chats: Chef Martín Berasategui on his Dubai debut

Jara by Martín Berasategui is now open in The Lana, Dorchester Collection.

Martín Berasategui is one of Spain’s most celebrated chefs. Over the years, his restaurants have won 12 MICHELIN Stars, and he has put the Basque Country’s cuisine on the map. Now, he is opening a restaurant in Dubai’s newest luxury location, The Lana, Dorchester Collection Hotel. As Jara by Martín Berasategui opens, we talked to him about his country, cooking and childhood. 

Martín grew up in San Sebastián, Basque Country and was surrounded by food. When he was 14 years old, he started working in his parents’ restaurant, Bodegón Alejandro. He recalls: “My parents and my aunt María ran the restaurant. It was the epicentre of our lives. When I finished school, I would go and have all of my meals there. I used to spend all day with my mother and my aunt messing around in the kitchen, asking questions and trying to do my own thing.”

At the time, there were no MICHELIN-starred restaurants in the Basque Country – he changed that. When he was 20 years old, he took over his parents’ restaurant, and when he was 25 years old, it was awarded a MICHELIN Star. He reveals: “This is where I learnt to work hard, without sparing any effort. I enjoyed working without betraying my roots. In the long run, it is what made me an accomplished chef. When you win a MICHELIN Star, it is a dizzying feeling. You cannot falter, you must continue fighting to improve every day and maintain each star.”

Now, Martín has worked as a chef for almost 50 years, and he has restaurants in Barcelona, Bilbao, Ibiza, Madrid and Tenerife. He is now bringing his local expertise to an international audience and opening his first restaurant in the Middle East. The Lana, Dorchester Collection Hotel is home to eight restaurants, and Jara by Martín Berasategui is inspired by the Basque Country.

Martín explains: “It’s a walk down memory lane. The dishes come from the passion and respect I have for my land and my roots. Basque cuisine is one of the most recognised cuisines in the world, and we want to bring our way of interpreting it to Dubai. We take advantage of the amazing produce we have in Spain, bring the best fish and seafood from the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas, and the best red meats from Galicia.” 

Jara by Martín Berasategui offers a bar and restaurant menu, which promises a fine dining experience. The restaurant menu spans hot and cold starters, oysters, meat, grill and seafood. The highlights include a Duo of Cantabrian Anchovies, Grilled Turbot, Kokotxas Casserole with Clams, and, of course, a Basque Cheesecake. 

Jara by Martín Berasategui also boasts a stunning setting. The sleek and smart décor includes dark shades of brown to gold, which are punctuated by greenery. Plus, there is a jaw-dropping view of Dubai, which sweeps across the city. 

Since working on Jara by Martín Berasategui, Martín has been impressed with Dubai’s dining scene. He shares: “I was surprised by how well connected it is with the rest of the world, and the accessibility to the best quality and freshest produce. I think it’s wonderful what they have achieved, and how well they manage hospitality. So, we are sure that such an innovative concept will be a great success in Dubai.”

Gracias, Martín for the flattery and food. 

GO: Visit www.dorchestercollection.com for more information.