Segura Viudas makes an emerging chef's dream come true to open his first ephemeral restaurant with 'La Primera Reserva'

Segura Viudas makes an emerging chef's dream come true to open his first ephemeral restaurant with 'La Primera Reserva'

Behind every great chef there are years in other people's kitchens, learning, observing and waiting for the moment to finally have their own kitchen. But making the leap from cooking the ideas of others to leading a restaurant is the most difficult step in the profession. A barrier that has surely made us miss the possibility of discovering the vision of great talents.

"La Primera Reserva" by Segura Viudas is the gastronomic project with which the historic Penedès winery opens the doors of the Estate to the country's emerging chefs so that they can turn their culinary vision into a real restaurant. For 48 hours, the kitchen and menu will be entirely yours. In this march, the brand not only gives up its space, but also provides definitive support to the chef's career by introducing the figure of an outstanding gastronomic critic into the experience. Its function goes beyond evaluation: the signing of this first professional review gives the chef's debut a seal of prestige and key projection for his future in the sector.

In the first edition it was the turn of Carles Larriba, a young chef from Barcelona trained in kitchens such as Disfrutar, Bo.Tic, 7 Portes or Ca l'Agut, and currently studying the Degree in Culinary and Gastronomic Sciences at CETT. Its cuisine is based on Catalan tradition with a look back to the origins and providing innovation and creativity at the same time, in line with the values of Segura Viudas based on respect for the roots combined with the innovative spirit. With local products and seasonal ingredients, it has shaped an exclusive summer menu. Among the outstanding proposals of the evening, mute duck and black rooster from Penedès, mussels from the Delta or peach from Ordal were served, elaborations that exemplify respect for local raw materials." For any chef, the first reservation, the first review and the first service with your name on the door is a moment that marks you forever" confesses Carles, as excited as he is nervous about this opportunity.

Regarding this synergy, Maria Chiara Marchetti, Marketing Director of Freixenet Spain, points out: "Segura Viudas' link with gastronomy has been part of our identity for years. For us, respect for the roots implies honoring processes, sustainability and origin, but always providing a point of innovation and elegance that allows us to reformulate and update the recipe book. With 'La Primera Reserva' we want this same philosophy to serve as a springboard for new creators, combining our experience with their ability to look to the future".

Each Larriba creation has been accompanied by a specific pairing designed by Matilde Rinaldis, sommelier at Segura Viudas. In this way, the menu has been harmonized with specific references of the winery, such as the iconic Brut Reserva Heretat and the Segura Viudas Brut Reserva, demonstrating the natural harmony between the cuisine of origin and the high quality cava.

And at the tables, there have been places reserved for the press, influencers and the general public who have witnessed this format. The challenge has been a success and all the places for this inaugural edition have been sold out, the first of a series of editions that Segura Viudas will soon celebrate. The project will continue to pave the way for emerging talent and gastronomy that respects the product and origin, consolidating itself as a space for expression for a new generation of chefs.