Carlos Garcia
Chef at La Cocina de Frente in Madrid's Retiro neighbourhood, working under the guidance of Juanjo López.
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Carlos García, from Villanueva de los Infantes in Ciudad Real, trained at the Escuela de Hostelería María de Zayas in Majadahonda before working at La Cabra, at Bagá under chef Pedro Sánchez, at La Tasquita de Enfrente and at La Retasca. Since 2019 he has led the kitchen at La Cocina de Frente in Madrid's Retiro neighbourhood, a project guided by chef Juanjo López, and in 2022 he won the pickling competition (Concurso de Encurtidos) at Madrid Fusión with a rabbit escabeche.
Biography
Early years
Carlos García is from Villanueva de los Infantes, in the La Mancha region of Ciudad Real, and trained at the Escuela de Hostelería María de Zayas in Majadahonda.
Career
After his studies, García worked at La Cabra, at Bagá under chef Pedro Sánchez, at La Tasquita de Enfrente and at La Retasca, where staff meals he cooked impressed chef Juanjo López. Since 2019 he has led the kitchen at La Cocina de Frente in Madrid's Retiro neighbourhood, a project guided by López, who provides the overarching vision while García runs the kitchen. In 2022 he won the pickling competition (Concurso de Encurtidos) at Madrid Fusión with a rabbit escabeche.
Philosophy
La Cocina de Frente is built around savoury, home-style Spanish recipes given a contemporary update: proper broths, from-scratch preparation and patience rather than shortcuts. Beyond its cocido madrileño, which periodically brings in guest chefs such as Joan Roca, Ángel León and Eneko Atxa to present their own versions, García adds two to three weekly specials built around seasonal ingredients, with dishes like croquetas, tomato tartare, green beans with ham cream, squid in its own ink, pork trotters and lamb shanks.
Restaurants
On Guidavera
1Carlos Garcia in our guides
Editorial guides featuring Carlos Garcia’s restaurants.
Accolades
- ·Concurso de Encurtidos (Pickling Competition), Madrid Fusión (2022)
Frequently asked
Who is the chef at La Cocina de Frente?
Carlos García has led the kitchen at La Cocina de Frente since 2019, working under the guidance of chef Juanjo López.
Where is La Cocina de Frente located?
On Calle de Ibiza in Madrid's Retiro neighbourhood, where Carlos García has run the kitchen since 2019.
What is La Cocina de Frente known for?
Savoury, home-style Spanish recipes with a contemporary update, including a cocido madrileño that periodically brings in guest chefs such as Joan Roca, Ángel León and Eneko Atxa.
Where did Carlos García train before La Cocina de Frente?
At the Escuela de Hostelería María de Zayas in Majadahonda, then in kitchens at La Cabra, Bagá under chef Pedro Sánchez, La Tasquita de Enfrente and La Retasca.
Has Carlos García won any awards?
Yes, he won the pickling competition (Concurso de Encurtidos) at Madrid Fusión 2022 with a rabbit escabeche.
Where is Carlos García from?
Villanueva de los Infantes, a town in the La Mancha region of Ciudad Real. He trained at the María de Zayas school in Majadahonda.