ORIGINIS AND ECHAURREN FAMILY
THE COOKING IN ECHAURREN
Francis Paniego (Ezcaray, 1968)
He was barely a child when his mother’s good work and teachings in the kitchen awakened his curiosity for the family business. Undoubtedly, the innate talent for gastronomy of his mother, Marisa Sánchez, “the grand dame of Riojan cuisine”, was the driving force behind the development of this century-old company and strengthened Francis’ career. After years of training and sacrifice, the chef has managed to become an indisputable reference point for Riojan cuisine and an important figure in Spanish gastronomy.
2004 First Michelin star for the restaurant El Portal de Echaurren, only two years after its opening.
2006 He assumes the gastronomic advice of the Hotel Marqués de Riscal in El Ciego.
2010 Third Sun in the Repsol Guide for El Portal de Echaurren.
2011 First Michelin star for the Marqués de Riscal restaurant.
2012 National Gastronomy Award for the Best Chef in Spain.
2014 Second Michelin star for El Portal de Echaurren Restaurant.
2014 Awarded the title of Favorite Son of Ezcaray.
2015 Chef de L’Avenir Award from the International Academy of Gastronomy.
Jose Félix Paniego (Ezcaray 1960)
Jose Felix, Chefe for all those who know him, has not hesitated to point out that “we all know that the dining room is the most important part of a restaurant because the customers occupy that space.” José Félix Paniego received in 2019 the Best Sommelier Award from the International Academy of Gastronomy and in:
2015 Best Wine List Award for the restaurant El Portal de Echaurren, by the Royal Academy of Gastronomy.
2019 Prix au Sommelier awarded by the International Academy of Gastronomy.
2019 National Gastronomy Award for Best Head Waiter.
2019 Host of the Year by the Basque Culinary Center for the HOST Awards.
2019 He has been the president of the Association of Sommeliers of La Rioja since the year.