Basque Ambassadors 2026

Basque Ambassadors recognises individuals and projects that contribute to promoting Basque gastronomic culture internationall.

Organized by Basque Culinary Center.

Discover the programme

In 2026, Basque Ambassadors was held in Japan, marking a new edition of the programme in an international context.

The aim of the programme is to recognise professionals who, from different parts of the world, promote and share Basque gastronomy, its culture and its values.

Throughout its different editions, Basque Ambassadors has highlighted professionals and projects that contribute to the promotion of Basque gastronomy, strengthening the gastronomic and cultural ties between the Basque Country and other regions. Cities such as London, Mexico City, Bogotá and Tokyo have hosted these editions, shaping a growing international trajectory.

PAST EDITIONS:

Meet our ambassadors:

Atsushi Nakamura

From Sendai to the Basque Country, round trip

Founding chef of Bixigarri Jatetxea

Gari Ortigosa

Transmission of the Basque language and culture in Japan

Professor at TUFS University and president of the Euskal Etxea of Japan

June Yamaguchi

Connecting gastronomic cultures

Founder of Basque Bishoku Club

Mikiko Isobe

Una década de cocina vasca

Founder of Lanbroa restaurant

Yoshihiro Narisawa

The landscape on the plate

Chef of the Narisawa restaurant

Toru Terada

Wines that cross borders

Creator of the IROHA Wine project

Yoshitsugu Yamamoto

Alarde, Basque haute cuisine in Osaka

Chef of Alarde restaurant

Paulo Berriozabal

Euskal Etxea in Tokyo

Founder of the Euskal Etxea in Tokyo

Yukio Konishi

The Basque grill in Japan

Chef of El Poniente restaurant

Kazuhiro Shimizu

The new generation preserving tradition

Founder of Etxola restaurant

Koldo Miranda

A Basque tavern in Bogotá

La Favorita Restaurant, a tribute to its Basque roots.

Juantxu Alonso

Fusiorik gabe, artifiziorik gabe

Autentiko Restaurant: origin and respect for tradition.

Felipe Arizabaleta

Product, market, and Basque essence

En Bruto Restaurant: small plates and market-to-table cuisine.

Tomás Rueda

Connected to the land

Oriente Restaurant, exploring new ways.

Luis Carlos Bonilla

Zumaiatik Calira, eskalarik gabe

Zumaia Restaurant: Basque philosophy and respect for the ingredients.

Sebastián Pupo

The perfect cheesecake

Sanse&Co, the best Basque cheesecake in Colombia.

Goio Usunaga Beltrán de Guevara

Basque flavor and roots in Colombia

Founder of El Vasco restaurant and president of the Euskal Etxea (Basque Club) of Bogotá.

Fundación Corazón Verde

Cooking is also about caring

Alimentarte International Gastronomic Forum and social programs

Arantxa de Saracho

Reinterpreting tradition

'Guria' restaurant and three 'Guria Tapas Bars' (Guria Group)

Pablo San Román

30 years of experience

'Ekilore' restaurant and basque chefs association 'Sukalde'

Iñigo Aramburu

Flavor of tradition

Restaurant 'Puerto Getaria'

Mikel Alonso

Trajectory of excellence

Restaurants 'Biko' and 'MEXTA'

Gorka Bátiz

From origin to avant-garde

Restaurants 'Tezka' and 'Gorka Altamar'.

Alberto Ituarte

Leading with attitude

Restaurants 'Tezka' and 'Ituarte Banquetes'

Julian e Ildefonso Larrachea

A family-run chain

Lecaroz bakeries and workshops.

What is Basque Ambassadors?

In Euskadi – Basque Country, we are all about bar counters, pintxos and small beers, sharing portions with a toothpick, enjoying life around a table, and soaking up sauces with bread. The sea and its fishing villages, the mountains and their gardens, the countryside and its vineyards. What we do and how we do it ultimately define who we are. In Euskadi – Basque Country, gastronomy is an identity.

We often say there's no place like home. However, some carry this sense of home beyond borders—these are all Basque Ambassadors.

This recognition is a tribute to the gastronomic ambassadors of the Basque Country worldwide: those who open the doors of Euskadi - Basque Country beyond its borders.

Organized by Basque Culinary Center and endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism, Trade, and Consumer Affairs of the Basque Government, this initiative aims to highlight chefs and professionals who, through their work, have brought the essence and richness of Basque culture to different corners of the world, along with their commitment to tradition and the quality of locally sourced products.