Christian Escribà

If you want to meet a professional who combines his passion for patisserie with a rebellious, non-conformist attitude, just head over to Escribá in Barcelona’s Gran Vía. Christian Escribà (Barcelona, 1962), along with his two brothers, is the fourth-generation pastry chef at the family business. Escribà has been an iconic name in Barcelona since 1820, and although the flagship shop remains on Gran Vía, the family has expanded to a second spot on Las Ramblas and even opened a beachside restaurant, Xiringuito, run by his brother Josep.

For Christian, Escribà isn’t just a place to grab a pastry – it’s a playground for new, daring ideas. Over the years, the shop has become famous for its out-of-the-box creations that blend tradition with innovation, transforming classic Spanish patisserie into something completely fresh. Escribà is a master at surprising people with desserts they’ve never seen before: the kind of treats you wouldn’t even think of eating but end up obsessed with.

From Barcelona to Paris and Viena

The pastry chef’s journey is one of passion and creativity. His father, Antoni Escribà, who was also a renowned pastry chef, played a big role in shaping his son's career. Antoni always encouraged him to think outside the box and embrace his unique style. At 16, Christian went to work in a different patisserie to get a sense of what the world beyond the family business looked like. That year-long apprenticeship led him to Paris, where he worked in a few top patisseries, soaking up everything he could about the craft. After stints in Vienna and then back to Barcelona, Christian officially took over the family business, bringing his own flair to the table.

The challenge of running a famous patisserie is huge: you have to please loyal customers while keeping things fresh enough to attract new ones. Escribá rose to the occasion, transforming his father’s legacy into something entirely new. A great example is his "sweet jewel" concept. These colorful, edible candy rings from his Candy Glam collection combined the art of patisserie with high-end jewelry. Initially designed as wedding favors, the candy rings became a smash hit, with 125 unique designs making their way to luxury stores like Harrods in London and Lafayette in Paris. Now, Escribá’s candy creations are sold in high-end shops worldwide.

Pushing the limits beyond sweet

Another one of Christian Escribá’s creations are his candy soldiers, inspired by an old toy factory machine he remembered from his childhood. He is also known for his Moving Pastries, Mural Pastries and Exploding Cakes, which are all about combining the experience of eating with a little bit of magic. Whether it’s the unexpected shock of an exploding cake or the surreal experience of a pastry that actually moves, Escribá is always pushing the limits of what desserts can be.

Even with all his success, Escribà remains as passionate about his work as ever. He’s constantly seeking new ways to surprise his customers, believing that a great dessert can make any moment – whether it’s coming home after a long day, a party, or a work break – the highlight of someone’s day. In recent years, he's also gotten more involved in mentoring younger pastry chefs and experimenting with new techniques, including a lot of work with molecular gastronomy and avant-garde baking. The creative, experimental side of Escribà continues to shine as he strives to redefine what patisserie means for a new generation of food lovers.

Today, the pastry chef is a mix of both tradition and innovation, and Christian Escribá’s creations continue to captivate sweet-toothed fans all over the world.