Getting to know Carlos Allué and his Barcelona’s best spots.
July, 8th, 2024. Written by Clara De Nadal Trias
Honest, thoughtful, sensitive, a good host... The cook and chef Carlos Allué is one of those gifted people who puts passion, care and detail into everything he does. He’s also a very good friend and an extremely hard worker person.
I met Carlos in the kitchen of La Xarxa almost by chance and from that day onwards, I went to his restaurant every week until I learned his always-based-on-seasonal-product menu by heart.
One day he almost saved my life by surprising me with one of his delicious rice dishes to make at home with a step-by-step instructions included, while the person who is now writing was pregnant and also suffering from a very bad Covid.
The smallest gestures are the ones that we do never forget and since then I have the honor and luck of knowing him, his family and being able to call him friend.
Hello Carlos, it is a pleasure to interview you today. Tell me a confessable secret:
A few years ago I discovered that I suffer from misophonia (extreme reaction to certain sounds) and it is funny because it only happens to me inside restaurants (laughs).
There are certain noises during meals that I have a hard time tolerating to… Like when someone “chews with their mouth open” or “the sound of a spoon stirring coffee”. But of course, restaurants are where I spend most of my life, so I have learned to cope with it.
For those who still don't know you... What do you do for a living?
I am a cook , a Chef and I am currently in charge of the Varela Group's operations, both in the kitchen and in the dining room. I do love cooking but also dealing with people, the team and training them to be the best hosts.
Please tell me how you started in the hospitality industry? And what has been your career until today?
Well, I started with my uncle and my father. They always liked to cook and while they were doing it, I always saw them happy. I loved that feeling and it marked me forever.
Once I finished High School, I decided to do a special degree to study hospitality. Truth is that I always knew I wanted to be a chef and after graduating I started studying Haute Cuisine.
I started working very young as a waiter at the Juan Carlos I hotel. Then I worked in the kitchen at the Princesa Sofía hotel until I left to the Basque Country to work and learn at Zuberoa restaurant in Oiartzun. After that I returned to Barcelona, worked for a while at Casa Varela until I had the opportunity to work in Badalona.
After a while, I decided to open my own Mediterranean food place. At that time I was only 22 years old. One day my former boss at Grupo Varela - José Varela - came to eat at my restaurant. I prepared a special menu for him and some of his friends and a few days later he called me to make me a job offer, I accepted it and from 2013 until today I am back working for Grupo Varela.
What do you think is your greatest professional contribution to a city like Barcelona?
I would say that finding places with possibilities, positioning them and creating a gastronomic offer that is quality based and attractive for both the local customer and the new customer who comes to visit us.
Tell me about your future professional plans…
I have a new project together with three other partners who are José Varela (Grupo Varela), Joan Carles Ninou (El Xampanyet) and Joan Manubens (El passadís d'en Pep).
We are setting up a place in the Born neighborhood that is going to be very cool. It will be called Galante and it will fit all types of good food lovers (locals and tourists).
According to your personal experience... What is the best thing about living in Barcelona?
In Barcelona you have it all. In a very small radius, for example from the center of Barcelona you have the beach, the mountains... In one hour ride from any point in the city you can be wherever you want to be. Barcelona is very well connected to everything. And of course, its gastronomic offer is simply amazing.
What is your favorite corner of the city? And the most curious thing about Barcelona?
My favorite corner of the city is a building with Roman columns that when I discovered it, I thought it was one of the most magical places I’ve ever seen. It is called Muhba (Temple of Augustus), it is in the Gothic neighborhood at Carrer del Paradís. My friend Adri discovered it for me and I will never forget what I felt the first time and all the other times I have been there.
For me, the most curious thing about Barcelona is that there is offer throughout the city. It doesn't matter what neighborhood you are in, in all neighborhoods there are places, shops, restaurants for all tastes and audiences.
What are your 3 favourite restaurants or bars in Barcelona and why?
- El Xampanyet, because it is the pure essence of Barcelona and because of the family that runs it. Joan Carles and his family, his daughters... They are special.
- Gorria, for the food they prepare and for the service that family offers. In fact, that's what I look for when I go out for lunch or dinner, to feel at home.
- And finally... In Hospitalet, El racó del cargol. This is a restaurant where I celebrate all my birthdays and I go every Monday with my partner, my mother, my grandmother... It makes me feel at home.
If someone who has never been to Barcelona asks you, what can I not miss, do, or visit?
I would tell them to go to El Xampanyet for lunch or dinner.
What is your favorite plan in the city?
Walk through the El Born neighborhood. When a family member or a friend comes to visit, I always take them there and we almost end up having a snack at La Puntual.
If you didn't live in Barcelona... Where would you live?
I love living in Barcelona. But if I had to change places I think I would go live in Alella. It is a small town very close to Barcelona where you can live very good, eat better and where there are also many vineyards and wineries.
If Barcelona was a person... Who would it be?
Joan Carles (the owner of El Xampanyet). He is a true local role model and now I am lucky that he is also my partner.
Last but not least... Please mention someone I should do this interview to:
Clearly to José Varela. We have known each other for many years. He is my mentor. He is the one who has opened the doors to this brutal world for me - which is the hospitality industry -, he has been and is my boss and now he is also my partner.
Thank you very much Carlos and good luck with the coming projects!
Interview and translation by Clara De Nadal Trias
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