Catalan Chef, Carme Ruscalleda has been appointed Director of Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona’s signature restaurant Moments. The restaurant was awarded with its first Michelin Star on its first Anniversary.

Ruscalleda is one of the few women in the world to be awarded a total of six Michelin stars. Self-taught, she opened her first restaurant Sant Pau in the Catalan seaside town of Sant Pol de Mar together with her husband Toni Balam in 1988. The restaurant has held three Michelin stars since 2005. Ruscalleda also runs an outpost of her Sant Pau restaurant in Tokyo which opened in 2004, and which has two Michelin stars. Ruscalleda career has also brought her several other awards, including the National Gastronomy Prize and the Sant Jordi Cross, the highest Catalan honor, which she was awarded in 2004.

The collaboration between Mandarin Oriental and Carme Ruscalleda brings an exciting development to Barcelona’s culinary scene, which is becoming increasingly renowned as one of the most inspired in the world. Commenting on the appointment; Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona’s General Manager Gerard Sintès said “Mandarin Oriental is delighted to be working with such a creative and talented chef as Carme Ruscalleda. Together, we look forward to introducing a world-class restaurant experience to the already vibrant Barcelona dining scene”.

The Catalan chef adds; “It is a privilege to be working with Mandarin Oriental on opening a restaurant at Barcelona’s best address.”

The kitchen at Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona’s Moments will be headed by Chef Raül Balam, Carme Ruscalleda’s son, who has been working with the prestigious chef for many years. The restaurant will feature Ruscalleda’s trademark Catalan cuisine, with seasonal produce taking centre stage. Commenting on her style, Ruscalleda says, “The quality and freshness of the produce that we use is vital. My aim has always been to provide healthy, tasty and well-prepared cuisine.” Moments provides a traditional Catalan dining experience. As Ruscalleda explains, "At Moments we focus on tradition and authenticity, by returning to our Catalan roots".

The Moments menu offers time-honored Catalan dishes such as Arroç Caldos (a comforting rice based soup) Fricandó (a succulent veal ragout), Suquet (a traditional fish stew) and Canelons (Catalan style cannelloni). Ruscalleda says, “The Catalan cookbook is a reflection of our ancestors’ good taste and ingenuity. It is both comprehensive and diverse in style, with recipes that have been inspired by the city, the country and the sea.”
The interior of Moments has been designed by renowned Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola and seats 50 guests for both lunch and dinner.