1 Michelin Star Chefs: Angel Zapata Martin, executive chef, Barrafina

The Staff Canteen

Angel Zapata Martin is the executive chef at the one Michelin starred, Barrafina in Dean Street, London.

Angel was born in Barcelona and was inspired by his uncle’s love of cooking. He originally studied architecture but unable to ignore his calling, he left the course to study at the Hofmann School of Hospitality instead.

Barrafina Dean Street

Barrafina DeanStreet, Angel Zapata Martin, Michelin starred restaurants

26-27 Dean Street, W1D 3LL

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 020 7440 1456

Website: www.barrafina.co.uk/restaurants/dean-street

Executive chef: Angel Zapata Martin

General manager: Aurelija Sovaite 

Wine buyer: Rafa Martin

Facebook: Barrafina

Twitter: @barrafinadnst

Instagram: @barrafinalondon

Biography

After graduating, Angel worked at several casual dining restaurants in the local area, before he got his ‘big break’ working for Santi Santamaria at his restaurant, El Racó de Can Fabes, which held three Michelin stars at the time. It was here that Angel perfected his talent for Catalonian cuisine, and he was offered a job at Santi’s Ossiano restaurant in Dubai. He spent two years at Ossiano, before working briefly with Pierre Gagnaire.

Angel Barrafina J6A0651 low res
Angel Zapata Martin

He then spent a few years travelling in Latin America, before taking up the role of executive chef at the Barrafina restaurants.

Barrafina

Barrafina is a collection of three Spanish tapas bar/restaurants in London, owned by sibling restaurateurs Sam and Eddie Hart. They opened the first Barrafina site on Frith Street in London in 2007. In 2013, Barrafina Frith Street received its first star in the Michelin Guide 2014, under executive chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho. After the restaurant received such critical acclaim, the Hart brothers opened a second Barrafina in Adelaide Street, Covent Garden in 2014, and a third site in Drury Lane the following year.

All three restaurants have an open kitchen and a marble-topped bar. The menus feature a range of regional Spanish classic dishes, but each restaurant has a unique specials board that changes daily. The wine list features Spanish sherries, Cavas and wines.

The flagship Barrafina moved to its current Dean Street location in 2016, and they have retained their Michelin star to date.

In February 2017, Nieves announced that she would be leaving Barrafina to pursue opening her own restaurant, Sabor. Shortly after this, it was announced that Angel Zapata Martin would be appointed executive chef at the three Barrafina restaurants.

Barrafina DeanStreet 5545 low res
Barrafina Dean Street

Food Style

Angel has the utmost respect for traditional tapas and this is demonstrated by the menu at Barrafina. Whilst the main menu sticks to authentic recipes for dishes like Gambas al Ajillo and Morcilla Ibérica, Angel showcases his unique Catalonian style of cuisine on the daily specials board. He also encourages his chefs to develop dishes for the specials boards at each of their respective Barrafina restaurants.

 

In these challenging times…

The Staff Canteen team are taking a different approach to keeping our website independent and delivering content free from commercial influence. Our Editorial team have a critical role to play in informing and supporting our audience in a balanced way. We would never put up a paywall and restrict access – The Staff Canteen is open to all and we want to keep bringing you the content you want; more from younger chefs, more on mental health, more tips and industry knowledge, more recipes and more videos. We need your support right now, more than ever, to keep The Staff Canteen active. Without your financial contributions this would not be possible.

Over the last 12 years, The Staff Canteen has built what has become the go-to platform for chefs and hospitality professionals. As members and visitors, your daily support has made The Staff Canteen what it is today. Our features and videos from the world’s biggest name chefs are something we are proud of. We have over 500,000 followers across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and other social channels, each connecting with chefs across the world. Our editorial and social media team are creating and delivering engaging content every day, to support you and the whole sector - we want to do more for you.

A single coffee is more than £2, a beer is £4.50 and a large glass of wine can be £6 or more.

Support The Staff Canteen from as little as £1 today. Thank you.

The Staff Canteen

The Staff Canteen

Editor 13th April 2018

1 Michelin Star Chefs: Angel Zapata Martin, executive chef, Barrafina