Which Spanish chef holds the most Michelin stars as of 2024?

As of 2024, the Spanish chef credited with holding the most Michelin stars is Martín Berasategui.

Berasategui is a Basque chef from San Sebastián whose flagship restaurant, Martín Berasategui, opened in Lasarte-Oria in 1993. That restaurant has held three Michelin stars for many years. His wider restaurant group has earned additional stars at several locations, bringing his commonly reported total to 12 across seven restaurants during this period.

The distinction requires an important qualification: Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants, not directly to chefs. Lists of “chefs with the most stars” therefore total the stars held by restaurants led, owned, or overseen by a chef. Restaurant closures, changes in leadership, and annual Michelin selections can alter those totals.

Berasategui’s cooking is associated with highly technical modern Basque cuisine, while retaining strong links to local ingredients and traditions. His record is different from chefs such as Ferran Adrià, whose restaurant elBulli was historically influential but closed in 2011, or Juan Mari Arzak, whose restaurant remains a landmark of Basque gastronomy. Carme Ruscalleda is another celebrated Spanish chef, but her peak Michelin total was lower.