Born in Buenos Aires with Majorcan blood, Chef Adrián Quetglas is passionate about the island and its cuisine. In fact, his first job was in Majorca when he was very young. Since then, he has trained under the tutelage of international chefs in Mallorca, London, Paris and Moscow.

In October 2016 Adrián Quetglas was named Russia’s ‘chef of the year’, and his Moscow restaurant AQ Kitchen was named third-best restaurant in Russia. In November 2016, Michelin announced one star for his Palma restaurant Adrián Quetglas. Here he shares with Aspire Lifestyles his thoughts on living in Russia and his aspirations for the upcoming World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017.

Aspire Lifestyles: Chef Quetglas, you’ve lived in many countries from London to Moscow for several years each time. Can you tell us which is your favorite country and why?

Chef Quetglas: This is a difficult one to answer because my favourite country does not really exist. Every place I stayed at was unique and offered me new experiences, but if I had to pick, there are two those which hold my heart and they are Spain and Russia. Because it feels like home every time, and that is why I chose to have my restaurants in those two places.

Aspire Lifestyles: Can you share with us how you came to a decision to work in Russia?

Chef Quetglas: The people I was very fond of proposed to me the prospects of working in Moscow at a very interesting moment in my life. I felt like it was the right timing and the right place. Truthfully, there was a lot of work that needed to be done to start over here, and that challenge motivated me. Now I can say this after 11 years that it was one of the best decisions to relocate here with my family.

Aspire Lifestyles: Wow 11 years in Moscow! So what’re your favorite local delights and where would you go to have them?

Chef Quetglas: I must say these 11 years in Moscow, we spent like acting like we have lived here forever! Haha… In my free time, I like visiting the local markets, going to the theatres or museums and spending time with my Moscow friends and my family.

Aspire Lifestyles: What’re your aspirations for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017 that is happening in a few weeks?

Chef Quetglas: I feel that all these acknowledgements from the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy are good and what keeps us, as professionals, going and motivated to keep on improving our craft. But we do not work only for these achievements, we do it together as a team! In the kitchen, it is all about teamwork to ensure that our clients leave the restaurant satisfied after a great meal. That is what makes me feel proud of what I do and that gives me great satisfaction.