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We present the four Spanish chefs who will compete in the grand final of Chef Balfegó 2026
The first stage of Chef Balfegó 2026 already has its stars. Following a demanding selection process, we now know the names of the four Spanish chefs who have secured their place in the grand final, which will take place on 30 November at Le Cordon Bleu Madrid.
The four chefs will represent Spain in a final that will bring together twelve chefs from across Europe. The remaining four places will be decided on 26 October during the European Semi-Final, which will be held at Le Cordon Bleu Paris.
Below, we introduce the four national finalists of this year’s edition.
Alberto Montes Pereira
Atrio*** (Cáceres)
Ariel Munguía
Canfranc Express* (Huesca)
Ariel Munguía, chef at Canfranc Express (Huesca), has built an outstanding career supported by solid training at Le Cordon Bleu Madrid and numerous national accolades. Among his most notable achievements are the Le Cordon Bleu High Cuisine Promise Award 2022, the title of Best Tapas Skewer in Spain 2022, and the runner-up position at the World Tapas and Pinchos Championship in 2023.
Israel Moreno
Ayalga* (Ribadesella)
Israel Moreno, head chef at Ayalga (Ribadesella), has built an extensive career in fine dining, having worked at renowned restaurants such as Surtopia, Punto MX, and Club Allard. Trained in Germany and holder of a Master’s Degree in Haute Cuisine and Pastry from GASMA CEU, he heads into this final as one of Spain’s four representatives.
Luca Perna
Enigma** (Barcelona)
Luca Perna currently pursues his career at Enigma (Barcelona), Albert Adrià’s acclaimed restaurant. His international journey has taken him through kitchens in Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Dubai, working at renowned establishments such as ABaC and serving as part of Enigma’s creative team.
Next stop: the European Semi-Final
The competition continues. On 26 October, the European Semi-Final will take place, where we will discover the eight chefs who will complete the line-up for the Chef Balfegó 2026 Grand Final.
Very soon, we will reveal the eight finalists who will compete for the title.
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