Karlos Arguiñano

Karlos Arguiñano Urkiola is a chef, television presenter, businessman, and occasional actor. Known for his approachable and humorous style and his iconic phrase "delicious, delicious, and substantial," he became Spain's most popular television chef. He is recognized for his appearance in the film Airbag (1997) and his work as a producer on various cooking shows. Trained at the Euromar Hotel's Hospitality School in Zarautz, he worked in emblematic hotels such as the María Cristina and the Londres in San Sebastián before opening his own restaurant in 1978. He was one of the pioneers of New Basque Cuisine, along with Juan Mari Arzak and Pedro Subijana. In 1979, he opened his iconic Hotel Restaurante Karlos Arguiñano in Zarautz. The restaurant held a Michelin star for 16 years, specifically from 1982 until it was revoked in 1998. In 1996, he opened the Aiala Cooking Academy in Zarautz, later expanded to include a four-star hotel. Since 1990, he has presented numerous cooking programs on networks such as TVE, ETB, Telecinco, and Antena 3, where he continues to host Karlos Arguiñano's "Cocina abierta," boasting over three decades of uninterrupted success on television. He is also the founder of the production company Bainet Media and the owner of a hotel-restaurant in Zarautz.