Chef Ferran Adriá, Spanish master of the art of molecular gastronomy who re-defined the culinary art has announced plans to shut down his highest rated Michelin 3-starred restaurant El Bulli, near Barcelona for two years in 2012 and 2013.
 Revealing at a press conference last week at the Madrid Fusion, the Mecca of food shows, held in Madrid, Ferran said he had taken the decision due to personal and professional reasons. Explaining briefly, he said, “I don’t want to go and sit on a beach in the Bahamas. But I think we deserve to lead more normal lives because for twenty five years we have been focusing on the restaurant.”
Adrià confirmed that he would use this break to spend time in the laboratory exploring fresh ideas and creative research. ‘El Bulli is not closing down,’ he said but ‘I need time to decide how 2014 is going to be. We want the year 2014 to stand out. I know that when I return it will not be the same.’ He did not give any insight into what new concepts he had in mind for the restaurant when it re-opens.
The restaurant, which had been rated at the world's best restaurant for four years in a row, serves a constantly evolving menu which has included such intricate delicacies as Margarita Cactus and Gorgonzola Globe.
The news has not come as a big surprise to he industry people who have been following Ferran’s moves. At London’s Restaurant Show last October he had hinted at the need for a change, saying: “I have to reinvent myself”. With a format like the current one it is impossible to keep creating,” says the 47year old Adriá. “In 2014, we will serve food somehow. I don’t know if it will be for one guest or a thousand.”
With bookings already closed for the 2010 season which is from June to December, there is expected to be a bigger rush for the people booking from December onwards for 2011 when the restaurant shuts down for Ferran to go on sabbatical.
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