ABOUT THE CHEF

José Pizarro

Accolades & Awards:
The Spanish chef José Pizarro awarded The Royal Order of Isabel la Catolica

Brand Partnership Collaborations:
Nordés Gin
Restaurants from Spain Certified Quality
Cinco Jotas
Estrella
Marqués de Vargas
P&O Cruises
Royal Academy of culinary Arts

TV Appearances:
Saturday Kitchen Live – Guest Chef
This Morning – Guest Chef
Sunday Brunch – Guest Chef
James Martin’s Saturday Morning – Guest Chef

Books:
2009 – Seasonal Spanish Food
2020 – Seasonal Spanish food
2012 – José Pizarro Spanish Flavours
2013 – Spanish Flavours Stunning Dishes
2016 – Basque Spanish Recipes from San Sebastian and Beyond
2017 – Catalonia Recipes from Barcelona and Beyond
2018 – Spanish Flavours
2019 – Andalusia Recipes from Seville and Beyond
2022 -The Spanish Home Kitchen
2023 – Recipes from Andalusia Eat around Spain

Chef, TV Personality and Author

José Pizarro, often referred to in the UK as ‘The Godfather’ of Spanish cuisine, is originally from a beautiful, rural village near Cáceres, Extremadura. Having spent the last 25 years in London, José trained in a number of Spain’s top restaurants, before advancing to head chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant El Mesón de Doña Filo. José began his career at Gaudi, moving to Eyre Brothers in Shoreditch, and then onto his role as Executive Chef at Brindisa.

In 2011, he launched his first restaurant, José, on Bermondsey Street, offering simple and traditional tapas.

His restaurants now include:
José Pizarro at the Royal Academy,
José Pizarro Broadgate, Pizarro,
José Pizarro The Swan Inn.
Poster by José Pizarro
José Pizarro at the RA
José Tapas Bar Bermondsey
Pizarro Restaurant Bermondsey

Last year José opened his first restaurant outside the UK – José by Pizarro at the Conrad Hilton in Abu Dhabi. José has also just announced his new all-day dining concept Lolo, which opened its doors in August 2024. Lolo aim is to capture the sense of togetherness and joy that he experiences from preparing his favourite dishes at home.

José champions fresh, seasonal produce and his philosophy revolves around simplicity and the idea that great food is for all.

His charm along with his mantra for simplicity and passion for Spanish food has made him a beloved figure on many foodie favourite TV shows.

He’s a regular guest chefs on BBC 1’s Saturday Kitchen, ITV’s This Morning, Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, and James Martin’s Saturday Morning. José is also a celebrated author, with critically acclaimed books such as “Seasonal Spanish Food” (2009), “Spanish Flavours” (2012), “Basque” (2016), “Catalonia” (2017), “Andalusia” (2019, reprinted 2023), and “The Spanish Home Kitchen” (2022)

Website: www.josepizarro.com