Italian born Paolo Casagrande leads the team at Martín Berasategui’s Lasarte in Barcelona. Passionate about the kitchen from an early age, Paolo Casagrande’s career has been characterized by the depth of his commitment, consistency, perseverance, effort and passion for cooking.
Paolo studied at the Alfredo Beltrame Hospitality School in Vittorio (Veneto) in northern Italy, and upon graduating as a young chef, he worked his way through numerous restaurants in Italy to discover new techniques, discipline and creativity in the world of cooking. He continued on to perfect his culinary skills at prestigious haute cuisine restaurants in Milan, London and Paris, with internationally renowned chefs such as Alain Soliveres.
In 2003 Paolo Casagrande visited the Martín Berasategui Restaurant in Lasarte (Guipúzcoa), and after impressing Berasategui with his hard work and dedication, he was placed as head of the renowned M. B. restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton, Abama (Canary Islands). It was here where he obtained his first Michelin star for the restaurant.
In February 2016, Paolo moved to Spain, and took charge of all the Monument Hotel’s gastronomic projects, under Berasategui’s direction. The culinary endeavors at the Monument Hotel include Oria Restaurant, Hall0 Cocktail Bar and Lasarte Restaurant, which under Paolo’s command has received 3 Michelin stars.
Describe your culinary philosophy in FOUR words:
Strictness – Consistency – Effort – Happiness
What is your greatest inspiration?
Nature and food products.
What FOUR things would you take to a desert island?
Knife, fishing tool, fire, grill (only for short time).
If you could take a plane ride to any restaurant in the world, just for one meal, where would you go?
Martin Berasategui (Lasarte, Guipuzkoa) because you feel like you’re at home.
- 3 Michelin stars | Michelin Guide 2017
Mallorca, 259
08008 Barcelona
+34 934 453 242
pcasagrande@restaurantlasarte.com
www.restaurantlasarte.com