Carme Ruscalleda
A self-taught and meticulous cook, she became the first Catalan chef to earn three Michelin stars.
Boldly innovative and deeply creative, her cuisine is a living dialogue between tradition and renewal—an ever-evolving reinterpretation of ancestral recipes guided by a profound respect for health, seasonality, and harmony with the land.
She was born in 1952 in Sant Pol de Mar, into a family of farmers and merchants whose lives were rooted in the values of the earth and the wisdom of proximity cooking. With the steadfast support of her husband, Toni Balam, she transformed her parents’ humble shop into a celebrated delicatessen, a success that resonated throughout the region.
In 1988, together they breathed new life into the old Hostal Sant Pau, transforming it into the renowned Restaurant Sant Pau, which welcomed the world until October 2018. Her culinary journey later crossed continents with the opening of Sant Pau Tokyo in 2004, followed in 2009 by the creation of Moments in Barcelona, alongside her son.
Her path is illuminated by seven Michelin stars, all awarded in 2013—making her the first woman chef in history to reach this milestone—across Sant Pau in Sant Pol de Mar, Sant Pau Tokyo, and Moments in Barcelona.
Beyond the kitchen, Ruscalleda is an author of influential cookbooks, a familiar voice in the media, and an untiring advocate for healthy eating, especially among children. Her legacy has been honored with some of Catalonia’s highest distinctions, including the Cross of Saint George, the Medal of Honor of the Parliament of Catalonia, the National Culture Award, and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Barcelona—recognitions that reflect a life devoted to culture, nourishment, and the quiet poetry of food.
Speaking at
A self-taught and meticulous cook, she became the first Catalan chef to earn three Michelin stars.
Boldly innovative and deeply creative, her cuisine is a living dialogue between tradition and renewal—an ever-evolving reinterpretation of ancestral recipes guided by a profound respect for health, seasonality, and harmony with the land.
She was born in 1952 in Sant Pol de Mar, into a family of farmers and merchants whose lives were rooted in the values of the earth and the wisdom of proximity cooking. With the steadfast support of her husband, Toni Balam, she transformed her parents’ humble shop into a celebrated delicatessen, a success that resonated throughout the region.
In 1988, together they breathed new life into the old Hostal Sant Pau, transforming it into the renowned Restaurant Sant Pau, which welcomed the world until October 2018. Her culinary journey later crossed continents with the opening of Sant Pau Tokyo in 2004, followed in 2009 by the creation of Moments in Barcelona, alongside her son.
Her path is illuminated by seven Michelin stars, all awarded in 2013—making her the first woman chef in history to reach this milestone—across Sant Pau in Sant Pol de Mar, Sant Pau Tokyo, and Moments in Barcelona.
Beyond the kitchen, Ruscalleda is an author of influential cookbooks, a familiar voice in the media, and an untiring advocate for healthy eating, especially among children. Her legacy has been honored with some of Catalonia’s highest distinctions, including the Cross of Saint George, the Medal of Honor of the Parliament of Catalonia, the National Culture Award, and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Barcelona—recognitions that reflect a life devoted to culture, nourishment, and the quiet poetry of food.
