Girona is in the spotlight after five young professionals from the city and nearby towns were named among Spain’s top 100 culinary talents for 2026 by the Basque Culinary Center, based in San Sebastián.
The list includes chefs, sommeliers and a pastry chef, all under 30, and is published every two years to identify young people who have made a positive contribution to the gastronomy sector. The Basque Culinary Center says the aim is to support emerging talent across the food chain.
Among those recognised are cousins Marc and Martí Roca, both chefs at El Celler de Can Roca in Girona. Marc is the son of Joan Roca, and Martí is the son of Josep Roca, both well known in the culinary world.
Also on the list is Guillem Pérez Serra, dining room director at Miramar in Llançà, whose parents Paco Pérez and Montse Serra run the two-Michelin-starred restaurant. Paula Cuenda, sommelier at Villa Más in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, was named Catalonia’s best sommelier in 2026 and also made the list.
Cyril Vermeulen, a sommelier at El Celler de Can Roca, received the same honour in 2025. Arnau Vilapriño, a pastry chef at El Celler de Can Roca, completes Girona’s presence on the list.
The recognition underlines the strength of Girona’s food scene and its role in producing new talent for Catalonia’s wider gastronomy sector. Readers can follow more local coverage on our news tag page.
