Alvar Hinojal
Chef | Alquimia Laboratorio * Valladolid, Spain
Biography
Born in Guardo (Palencia), after spending a few years working in a field other than hospitality, I decided to study a cooking course at the IES Virgen de la Calle (Palencia). Once I finished my studies, I worked as head chef at the Hotel Real in Guardo for three years until I decided to open a restaurant in the neighbouring town of Velilla del Rio Carrión, Restaurante El Molino. My time in Velilla lasted five years, as my ambition to grow and the crisis that was hitting the area forced me to seek new horizons. After a year's sabbatical, I returned to Valladolid, to Restaurante Suite 22, where I worked for several years as head chef until I was offered the opportunity to open Taller Arzuaga (currently with one Michelin starMichelin star); my time at the workshop lasted approximately one year and at that point, in 2018, I decided it was time to open my own restaurant for the second time. Together with two friends, in November 2018 we opened the doors of Alquimia with two very clear concepts:
Crisol: A more informal area where we bring the flavours of different markets around the world to the plate.
Laboratorio: An area where we showcase our creativity at the highest level through two tasting menus, Serotonina and Dopamina.
After a week of being open, we had our first Michelin visit, and four years later, in November 2022, we were awarded our first Michelin star. Later, in March 2024, we received our first Repsol Sun.
I currently combine my day-to-day work at the restaurant with teaching at different centres.
I currently combine my day-to-day work at the restaurant with teaching at different centres.
Sessions
12:30h
