Albert Adrià leaves elBulli.

[pedro]

According to El Periódico, the responsible of R&D at elBulli and Ferrán Adrià's brother, Albert Adrià, is leaving elBulli and fine dining. Quite a blow indeed.

He's also the owner of Inopia, a place devoted to tapas in BCN.

[docsconz]

Wow, that is huge news. It sounds like the pressures of constantly having to be creative have caught up with him. His contributions to the Vanguard will certainly be missed. It will be interesting to see how elBulli evolve without him.

[pedro]

If anyone is interested in an English translation of the interview, PM me.

Btw, kudos to Pau Arenós for a great interview.

Edited February 10, 2009 by pedro (log)

[the count of monte christo]

Hi does anybody know where I can find his book -

Les postres d'el bulli albert adria

oct 1998

ISBN 84-7596-606-3

I've been searching for this everywhere but to no avail.

Thanks

[pedro]

For all practical purposes, it can't be found. Stealing it would probably be your best option.

[docsconz]

I received permission from Pau Arenos to post the facsimile of the original Spanish article (only available in print) on my blog along with an English translation done primarily by Pedro Espinosa with a little assistance from myself.

[Aidan Brooks]

John - thanks for the article from El Periódico, which I didn't see before I read your blog post yesterday. It makes very interesting reading, though it still doesn't sound like Albert is entirely sure about the future. I'd kinda figured that everyone knew that it was the beginning of the end for El Bulli. Things like the change of timetable, Ferran's work at Alicia and travels abroad gave plenty of hints.

I'd give good money (if I had any) to know what and where the next El Bulli will be. We all want to be ahead of the game as we progress our careers.

[vserna]

Talking about El Bulli's demise may be somewhat premature. Ferran badly wanted to have an autumn to work with so he could serve a seasonal menu, a luxury he hasn't had over the many years since El Bulli went to the six-months format - and the fall is probably the greatest gastronomic season in Europe. Of course we can all surmise that he'll have a great run this year, with all sorts of twists and finds around game and fowl, and then call it quits for good. But I personally doubt it.

[docsconz]

According to the interview, it appears that elBulli will run until 20112 at least, barring some other significant changes. Albert's departure is certainly significant. There is no doubt that it will have an effect on the restaurant, though I doubt that anyone can really predict what that will be at this point. Albert is incredibly talented, but then elBulli is chock full of incredibly talented people. If any place can survive the loss of someone like Albert, it will be elBulli, at least so long as Ferran is around.

[Salty]

I hope it is not the end - every year I dilligently send off my email and wait a few weeks for a polite "no". I am convinced that some day the news will be good. The restaurant can't close before then!

[docsconz]

I can only imagine that this will put even more pressure on the reservation process over the next few years that may be mitigated only by the economic climate.

[JudyB]

According to the interview, it appears that elBulli will run until 20112 at least...

That is a very long time in the future, has Ferran discovered how to live forever?

I'm guessing that you meant to say "2011" or "2012"?

[docsconz]

According to the interview, it appears that elBulli will run until 20112 at least...

That is a very long time in the future, has Ferran discovered how to live forever?

I'm guessing that you meant to say "2011" or "2012"?

←

Yes, 2012, though if Ferran could find a way to live forever, I could see it lasting that long!

Edited February 19, 2009 by docsconz (log)

[AlexForbes]

Doc, I honestly think that the economic climate will have no effect whatsoever on El Bulli`s business. They have such an incredibly huge overflow of people that yearn for reservations that no recession, no matter how strong, would ever make that place easy to eat at!

Especially now that we all know it`ll only be around for 3 more yrs...

[docsconz]

Doc, I honestly think that the economic climate will have no effect whatsoever on El Bulli`s business. They have such an incredibly huge overflow of people that yearn for reservations that no recession, no matter how strong, would ever make that place easy to eat at!

Especially now that we all know it`ll only be around for 3 more yrs...

←

I agree with you Alex, although that is the one thing that I can see easing that pressure somewhat. I don't think that there is any concern that elBulli will be underbooked.