Santi Santamaria

Who was Santi Santamaria?

Jaume Santamaria i Puig, known as Santi Santamaria, was a prominent avant-garde Spanish Catalan chef. He was the first Catalan chef and owner to have his restaurant receive three stars from the Michelin Guide.

His second restaurant was awarded two Michelin stars.

His style was a modern interpretation of traditional Catalan cuisine and slow food, focusing on fresh Mediterranean ingredients.

Santamaria made controversial accusations against the "molecular gastronomy" of other Spanish chefs, singling out Ferran Adrià.

Santamaria died on 16 February 2011 in his restaurant in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore of a heart attack.