Speakers

Restaurants from Spain Advisory Council

José Pizarro

Pizarro Restaurants

Marcos Fernández

Arròs QD

Monika Linton

Tapas Brindisa

Owen Morgan

Group 44

Richard Bigg

Camino Restaurants

Stephen Lironi

Bar Esteban / Maresco / Escocesa

PROFILES

RESTAURANTS FROM SPAIN ADVISORY COUNCIL 

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José Pizarro
Founder of Pizarro Restaurants

 

Originally from a beautiful village near Cáceres, Extremadura, José has lived in London for over 25 years, and is often described as The Godfather of Spanish cuisine in the UK.

 

Founder of six restaurants in the UK as well as one in Abu Dhabi, José is a regular guest chef on BBC 1’s Saturday Kitchen, ITVs This Morning, Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, and the popular ITV show - James Martin's Saturday Morning.

 

He is also Caballero de la Gran Orden del Vino since 2021.

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Marcos Fernández 
Founder and Managing Director of Arròs QD

 

Marcos is Managing Director of Arrós QD, which he founded with Quique Dacosta, who holds a total of seven Michelin stars. Arròs QD is one of the leading, high-end Spanish food restaurants in the UK.

 

Marcos has a BSc in Economics & Management and a MA in International Business and Management. He has been successfully developing entrepreneurial projects within the creative industries for over twenty years.

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Monika Linton
Founder of Brindisa and Co-founder – Brindisa Kitchens

 

Brindisa was founded by Monika Linton in 1988 to share her enjoyment of the varied cultures, landscapes and extraordinary foods of Spain. Brindisa celebrates the traditional foods of Spain.

 

Brindisa Kitchens, co-founded by Monika in 2004, brings Spain to you on a plate, with the warmth of traditional Spanish hospitality, at five London tapas restaurants and a kitchen bar. She is Caballero de la Gran Orden del Vino since 2015.

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Owen Morgan
Founder and CEO, Group 44

 

Founder and Co-owner of the company running three Bar 44 sites in the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff, as well as a modern asador restaurant, Asador 44, in Cardiff. Principally overseeing all food, drink and product side of the business.

 

Caballero de la Gran Orden del Vino since 2021, Sherry educator, brand ambassador, trainer, wine lover, culinary director. Promoting the finest modern Spanish food and drink with knowledge and passion.

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Richard Bigg

 

Richard is the founder of Camino restaurants, with five locations in London, as well as the cosy Bar Rioja in King’s Cross. Having travelled extensively across Spain for well over 20 years, Richard wanted to create an authentic representation of the country's fantastic food and wines in a terrific atmosphere, and accessible to all.

 

Richard is Caballero de la Gran Orden del Vino since 2020 and a Rioja UK ambassador.

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Stephen Lironi

 

A former key figure in the Scottish post-punk scene, the artist became a renowned music producer in the United States, working with legends such as Hanson or Jon Bon Jovi.

 

Today, he runs three restaurants with a Scottish heart and a Spanish soul in London: first came Bar Esteban, in Crouch End, followed a few years later by Escocesa, in Stoke Newington, and finally Maresco, a cosy spot in Soho, which received rave reviews since its opening.

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