Paulo Airaudo: A Journey Through Michelin Recognition

Born in Córdoba, Argentina, to a family of Italian heritage, Paulo Airaudo built his career in some of the world’s most respected kitchens, including Arzak, The Fat Duck and Magnolia. His first independent success came in Geneva, where La Bottega quickly earned a Michelin Star and established the foundations of a distinctive culinary vision centred on product, seasonality, and precision.

Since then, Michelin recognition has followed a consistent path across his projects. Amelia in San Sebastián earned its first Michelin Star within its first year and was later awarded a second star in 2021. Aleia in Barcelona followed a similar trajectory, achieving two Michelin Stars within four years of opening. In Hong Kong, NOI was awarded two Michelin Stars, while Luca’s in Florence and IBAI in San Sebastián have also been recognised by the Guide.

Today, Paulo Airaudo’s restaurant group spans Europe and Asia, with projects in Spain, Italy, Hong Kong and Thailand. Across different concepts and culinary traditions, a common thread connects them all: a commitment to excellence, teamwork, and continuous evolution.

As Airaudo often reminds his teams, every distinction is not an individual achievement but a recognition of the collective effort behind each restaurant and the ongoing pursuit of improvement.