Yesterday at the Madrid Fusion conference Chef Ferran Adria made the announcement that elBulli would close it's doors to the public. No the restaurant isn't closing down for good, but Chef Adria has decided that he needs to take a step back as it were, look at where elBulli has been and where it's going moving forward. The restaurant itself is working on it's 50th year in operation - Adria has been at the helm for 30 of those years.
According to the presser we could get a elBulli encyclopedia, which would be the first ever complete 'bible' of avant garde cuisine from Adria. He's released several books, but this would be even bigger (bigger than the Fat Duck Cookbook - that Heston Blumenthal put out) which is many levels of kick ass.
My first thought was "Good for him", time to take stock in where he's been and where he wants the restaurant to go. Not many chefs can close down their restaurant for two years and get away with it - Adria can. Guys like Heston Blumenthal and Grant Achatz both did stages under Adria.
Here's the press release (tip of the touqe to Eater National):
elBulli's press release. 26.01.2010Item #4 is what I really love, and it's refreshing to see something like this happening. Though I'm sure there are some pissed off people that have been trying to get into elBulli for several years. If you don't get a reservation now 2014 is your next best hope.elBulli takes a step forward
During his speech today at the Madrid Fusion Summit, Ferran Adrià has outlined the action plan of elBulli for the years 2010-2020.
In 2012 elBulli will celebrate 50 years since its conception, so Ferran Adrià and Juli Soler have decided to commemorate this anniversary with the closure of one cycle and the beginning of a new phase, in which a radical approach to the creative process and the pursuit of new challenges and stimulus will be the main priority.
Based on this approach, the agenda of elBulli for the coming years will be the following one:1) In 2010, elBulli will open from 15th June until 20th December.
2) The opening calendar of elBulli for 2011 will be released during September 2010.
3) elBulli will remain closed to the public during 2012 and 2013. This period will be devoted to thinking, planning and preparing the new format for subsequent years:
a. In consequence, this will allow elBulli to have two creative centres: elBullitaller, currently located on Portaferrissa Street in Barcelona, and elBullirestaurant itself in Cala Montjoi.
b. During this time all the know-how about elaborations, techniques and styles acquired after 30 years of creative research will be analysed, and the results of said work will be compiled in a comprehensive and thorough encyclopaedia.
4) elBulli will open again in 2014, constantly challenging the possibilities of the concept of a restaurant, based on the following criteria:
a. Research will be prioritized over production.
b. Each season will be different in terms of opening dates and times, capacity of the restaurant in terms of diners, staff, etc.., going beyond the pursuit of innovation that elBulli has been undertaking ever since the decision was made, among other things, to open only for 6 months, offer only one sitting per day and cancel the standard menu.
