This month we were able to enjoy the vibe of Tokyo at La Muella Ibiza when ANA airlines invited three top chefs from one of the greatest culinary cities of the world. ’Japan Meets Ibiza’ and these two cultures are a perfect match as it turns out, not just gastronomically.
THE STORY BEHIND
Three Japanese culinary masters cooked together outside Japan for the first time. Three chefs, two countries, two cities. ANA, Japan’s largest airline and Aiste Miseviciute, founder of the popular food blog LUXEAT, proudly present a series of events: Japan Meets Barcelona & Ibiza 2017. From the 3rd to the 7th of June 2017, three high-profile, Japanese chefs took over the kitchens in Barcelona an Ibiza. Each a master of a different type of Japanese cuisine, chefs Kentaro Nakahara, Takaaki Sugita and Yoshiteru Ikegawa will collaborate for the first time outside Japan, combining their culinary techniques with exquisite Spanish ingredients. In Ibiza, the Japanese masters prepared a collaborative dinner at La Muella we were happy to attend.
THE VENUE LA MUELLA
When you walk into La Muella you can feel the magical atmosphere right away, The outdoor space is just incredibly beautiful, like an enchanted garden inviting you for a special dinner experience. The concept of La Muella is originally from Goa, India and last year Illan and Shiran Dascal decided to bringit to our island Ibiza. It’s a holistic lifestyle experience bringing music, art, food and style together. Each night you can enjoy the hypnotic DJ sets and dance underneath the stars. And don’t forget to check out the boutique with beautiful Kaftans from Goa.
The Israeli chef Gome Galily has travelled and worked all over the world in several restaurants with Michelin stars and grew a vegetarian restaurant as a part of a yoga retreat in India. His food creations are inspired by his travels and he combines Middle Eastand Asian influences in his kitchen. It’s an explosion of all kind of flavors and he also offers a well- balanced dietary menu. When we asked if there is a vegan option, he whipped some vegan sushi and a spicy quinoa bowl within a few minutes. He is definitely a chef with lots of passion for food and his work which makes every dining experience very special.
THE TOP CHEFS
Kentaro Nakahara
Yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) master is the chef and owner of Sumibiyakiniku Nakahara, considered one of Tokyo’s best restaurants. A self-taught butcher and beef connoisseur, Nakahara is highly respected across Japan and has been featured in publications such as The Japan Times.
Takaaki Sugita
Sushi master Takaaki Sugita owns one of Tokyo’s most popular sushi restaurants, Nihonbashi Kakigaracho Sugita. Each piece of fish and seafood on his menu is treated and aged specifically to bring out its unique flavors and textures. Chef Sugita has 1 Michelin star.
Yoshiteru Ikegawa
Yakitori (grilled chicken skewer) master Yoshiteru Ikegawa is the chef and owner of Michelin starred restaurant Torishiki, where he expertly serves up chicken, grilled traditionally over charcoal.
THE FOOD EXPERIENCE
The menu reflects the expertise of each chef. Dishes will include Japanese Wagyu beef and wagyu tartare by Nakahara; sushi and sashimi, by Sugita; and chicken skewers by yakitori expert Ikegawa. At the end of each meal, we were treated with a taste of award-winning Brazilian chocolate Q, by Chef Samantha Aquim.
The dinners were expertly curated by globe-trotting foodie Aiste Miseviciute, and follow the success of the Japan Meets Ibiza weekend in August 2016, where barbecue master Nakahara and legendary sushi chef Keiji Nakazawa cooked for an audience of international foodies.
La Muella is a place not to miss this summer for the ultimate Ibiza food experience.
Contact our Concierge Department for a table reservation.