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  • PACO BUDIA
  • PACO BUDIA
  • PACO BUDIA

    PACO BUDIA

    He was born in Cordoba in 1989 to a mother from Cordoba and a father from Extremadura. His career as the kitchen began after he left university, in a small tavern in the town where he was born, with his friend Jhon Mcelyea. At the age of 19, both friends decided to go to Martin Berasategui’s three-Michelin-star-winning restaurant in Lasarte-Oria (San Sebastian). What was intended to be a few months of work experience became five years of experience and learning with their friend and mentor Martin Berasategui, where he rose to the ranks to the position of head pastry chef during his time at the mother house. In 2015, he decided to go out and see the world, starting a new stage in Ibiza, where he spent five years at the Nassau Beach Club, a top spot on the island, being appointed head chef. After summer and winter seasons in Ibiza and Andorra, where he worked with Nandu Jubany at Origin inside the Sport Hotel Hermitage 5*, in 2018 he decided to work with his friend Jose Miguel Bonet, one of the island’s most highly-regarded chefs, at the Es Ventall restaurant. His teacher Martin Berasategui called him to lead his new project, Etxeko Ibiza in the Hotel Bless in 2019 where, after several difficult years after the opening and two years of the pandemic, they obtained a Repsol Sol in 2022 and their recent Michelin star in 2023.

     

    How did you discover Ibiza?

    I came to the island with some friends from Córdoba who had been coming to work here for years. I was 18 and I came for a ten-day holiday and ended up staying for almost two months. I think that was when I fell in love with this island.

    What does Ibiza mean to you?

    It means a lot of things to me.  My home, my friends, my profession... With every day that goes by I feel luckier to live here. I was young when I arrived and I’m still here. I don’t think there’s a better a place in the world to live than this.

    What does the island transmit to you?

     It transmits calm, safety and the feeling of living a happy life. I have not felt the energy I get from this island anywhere else in the world.  It gives me moment of pleasure with my friends and family, I don't think I would change it for anything.

    What are your favourite things to do in Ibiza?

    Going to the beach with my friends, watching the sun go down, visiting other restaurants and spots on the island, nights out... There’s so much to do here and that’s magical and lovely.

    Which song makes you think of Ibiza, and why?

    “Muerte en Hawai” by Calle 13. I used to listen to it every day with my best friend Marco, and whenever I hear it, it reminds me of my early years here. Another song that makes me think of the island is “Everywhere you Go” by Ricardo Villalobos.

    A special memory?

    I have made so many happy memories here that I really can't think of just one, but I hope I’ll continue to live here for many more years. That's all.

    What do you tell your friends about Ibiza?

    I say that Ibiza is magical. It’s a unique place with an amazing energy. And I just encourage them to come and visit me, otherwise they’ll regret it. My parents have been coming to see me for 12 years and they always want to come back as soon as they can.

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