Isabel Maestre

If there’s one name that rings out when you talk about elegance and flavor in Madrid’s high society circles, it’s Isabel Maestre (San Sebastián, 1944). For more than 40 years, Isabel has been crafting refined, memorable menus that have fed royals, literary legends, and families looking to make a special moment unforgettable. But what makes her really shine is how she blends tradition with just the right amount of daring innovation—always with impeccable taste (literally and figuratively).

Born in San Sebastián, a city known for its deep culinary roots, Isabel didn’t stumble into the kitchen—she walked in with purpose. She trained with giants like Luis Irizar and French culinary icons Gaston Lenôtre and Frédy Girardet. That foundation set her up to launch El Obrador de Isabel Maestre in Madrid in 1980. Back then, catering wasn’t nearly as glamorous as it is today. Isabel helped change that. With her focus on quality, presentation, and seasonal ingredients, she elevated catering into an art form.

Isabel’s resume reads like a who’s-who of Spanish culture and royalty. But ask anyone who knows her work, and they’ll tell you she treats every client like royalty, whether you’re planning a grand gala or an intimate dinner party.

A Family Affair

What really sets Isabel apart, though, is that she’s created not just a brand, but a family legacy. Her daughters, Marta and Isabel de Cárdenas, are key players in the business. Marta, who trained with top chefs like Alain Ducasse and Pierre Hermé, brings a creative, contemporary touch to the kitchen. Her desserts, in particular, are little bites of poetry. Meanwhile, Isabel de Cárdenas, an architect by trade, handles the visual and spatial side of things—making sure every table looks as good as the food tastes. Together, they’re a power trio blending tradition, innovation, and style.

In 2017, the family took things a step further with the launch of Café-Bistró Isabel Maestre at El Corte Inglés in Madrid’s chic Serrano district. Picture a charming Parisian-style café tucked into a luxury department store, serving blinis with salmon, lamb tagine, delicate tarts, and their iconic pastela de crema y almendras. It's high-end comfort food with a French-Spanish soul.

Over the years, Isabel has racked up some serious honors—including the Premio Nacional de Gastronomía in 1996 and the Premio Cervantes de Gastronomía in 2021. But awards aside, her true legacy is in every plate that tells a story, every dish that sparks a smile, and every meal that turns into a memory.

Because at the end of the day, Isabel Maestre isn’t just feeding people, she’s feeding their senses, their nostalgia, and their love for food done beautifully.