The story
In the heart of Murcia, Almo de Juan Guillamón is a restaurant that speaks directly from the kitchen of its chef. The concept is clear: a cuisine that is both avant-garde and deeply attached to its roots, where the market’s finest ingredients are the soul of every plate. This is not a static menu but one in constant evolution, enriched by the personal and professional travels of its creator.
Chef Juan Guillamón’s path to his own restaurant is an unusual one. It began in the kitchens of London’s Natural History Museum, a temporary job that revealed his true vocation. After formal studies, he honed his craft alongside great professionals, first in his native Murcia at La Cabaña Buenavista, then across Spain at renowned restaurants including El Portal del Echaurren in La Rioja, Arzak in San Sebastián, and Calima in Marbella. A remarkable six-season stint as a chef for the Ferrari Formula 1 team allowed him to travel the world, absorbing new products and techniques. He balanced this with roles as head chef in Madrid and Las Palmas, stages at kitchens like Ricard Camarena and Dom in São Paulo, and as personal chef to the British Ambassador in Spain.
In April 2019, he launched his personal project, originally called AlmaMater, now Almo, in Murcia. The restaurant quickly earned recognition, becoming a finalist for 'Revelation Chef' at Madrid Fusión 2021 and receiving a Repsol Sun that same year. The highest accolade came in November 2022 when Almo was awarded a Michelin star, a testament to its high-quality cooking, followed by two Repsol Suns in 2024.
The experience at Almo is built around a tasting menu, served to the whole table, that showcases the chef’s contemporary Mediterranean vision. Dishes like "Tomate partío" with Mediterranean bonito and miso, or glazed eggplant with sheep’s cheese and hazelnuts, demonstrate a playful yet precise approach. The menu changes with the market, but might include a baked octopus with saffron, a grouperfish in Olla Gitana stew, or a terrine of chato Murciano pork. Desserts such as cherry with chili pepper and hibiscus, or chocolate with honey and rosemary, provide a vibrant finish.
Almo is more than a meal; it is the expression of a chef’s character and a dedicated team committed to constant improvement. The atmosphere is one of professional, warm service, where the passion for what they do is communicated directly to the guest. It is a place where the vanguard and tradition of Murcian gastronomy coexist.
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