After beginning his career at a successful tapas bar, Ricardo then received an offer he could not refuse: a position in Masao Kikuchi’s legendary Japanese restaurant, Tokyo Taro. Kikuchi became Ricardo’s culinary sensei, and brought about a 360° turn in his approach to cooking.

Until his time at Tokyo Taro, Ricardo’s food had stayed firmly with the Spanish and Mediterranean traditions. After four intensive years of training with Kikuchi, however, he was ready to launch his own heavily Japanese-influenced restaurant, and in 2000 he led a group of partners in the creation of the Kabuki project.

As Head Chef at the original Kabuki, a position in which he remained for seven years, he developed the characteristic Kabuki kitchen style, where food represents a point of contact between the Japanese and Mediterranean cultures.

Today, Ricardo is the very heart and soul of Madrid’s two Kabuki restaurants. He is Head Chef at the Kabuki Wellington, which is one of Madrid’s must-eat establishments. It boasts a dessert menu crafted by an El Bulli-trained confectioner and won Restaurant of the Year in the 2007 Metrópoli Gastronomic Awards. Ricardo has attended Madrid Fusion and continues to attract international media attention with his stunning creations.

The Kabuki kitchen is a point of contact between Japanese and Mediterranean cultures. My food is characterised by the quality of the raw ingredients I use, and by the simplicity and the elegance of my dishes. Whatever I am making, my aim is to create dishes that will demonstrate each flavour used in all its purity and intensity.

On the one hand I apply Japanese techniques and recipes to Mediterranean produce and on the other, I recreate traditional Spanish dishes using Japanese techniques. It should also be emphasised that the most traditional Japanese dishes retain a distinguished place on my menu alongside my own creations.

I do not give up the traditions of Japanese cuisine as I am convinced that a profound understanding of it is essential to create new dishes with culinary spirit.