The Diplomat. Madrid
The three brothers of restaurant El Celler de Can Roca (Gerona) –Jordi, Joan and Josep– are not the only illustrious chefs with this surname making the Spanish gastronomy famous. The president of the Government, Mariano Rajoy, has also a Roca as head chef at the Moncloa Palace, according to information provided to The Diplomat by reliable sources. However, this person is not related to the Catalonian family who has achieved three Michelin stars and has been granted the award to the best restaurant of the world in 2013.
Chef José Roca took charge of the stoves of the Moncloa at the end of 2011, after Julio González de Buitrago’s retirement, who had been holding this position for 32 years since he came into the Presidency of the Government in the days of Adolfo Suárez.
José Roca was the most veteran of all the chefs working with González de Buitrago at the presidential premises, which made the grant of power completely pleasant. The latter has just published a book, ‘La cocina de La Moncloa’, where he details the tastes and cooking peculiarities of the five first presidents until Mariano Rajoy came to power.
