José Manuel Marina Puig
Chef, known as "Pepote," and owner of La Taberna de Paula in Madrid's Arapiles neighbourhood.
- Restaurants
- 1
José Manuel Marina Puig, known as "Pepote," is the cook and owner of La Taberna de Paula, a traditional taberna in Madrid's Arapiles neighbourhood. He worked as an attorney and provincial director of the health insurer Sanitas for Valencia and Castellón before leaving that career in 2010 to take over the old Chamberí tavern where he grew up. His Aragonese roots show through in the kitchen, especially in his slow-cooked broths and stews, alongside a menu of seasonal pinchos and raciones like callos and carrilleras al oloroso.
Biography
Early years
Marina Puig grew up in Madrid's Chamberí neighbourhood, in the same area where he'd later take over his own bar. His roots are Aragonese, and that heritage shaped his cooking from the start.
Career
Before he ever ran a kitchen, Marina Puig worked as an attorney and as the provincial director of the health insurer Sanitas for Valencia and Castellón. Cooking had been a hobby, but in 2010 he left that corporate career behind and took over an old tavern in the Chamberí barrio where he'd grown up, turning it into La Taberna de Paula. He's run it as cook and owner ever since, building a name for pinchos and raciones made with seasonal ingredients.
Philosophy
His cooking favours traditional recipes prepared slowly over gentle heat, prioritising quality ingredients. His Aragonese heritage shows through particularly in his broths and regional dishes, alongside house staples like Basque-style artichokes, callos, carrilleras estofadas al oloroso, rabo de toro and the house empanada, with a wine list built around Cariñena, Rioja and Ribera labels.
Restaurants
Frequently asked
Who is the chef at La Taberna de Paula?
José Manuel Marina Puig, known as "Pepote," is the owner and cook at La Taberna de Paula in Madrid.
What cuisine does La Taberna de Paula serve?
Basque-style pinchos and raciones with Aragonese influences, especially in its broths and stews, alongside dishes like callos and carrilleras al oloroso.
Where is La Taberna de Paula located?
In the Arapiles neighbourhood of Madrid, on Calle Vallehermoso, in the Chamberí district.
What did Pepote do before opening La Taberna de Paula?
He worked as an attorney and as the provincial director of the health insurer Sanitas for Valencia and Castellón before leaving that career in 2010 to take over the tavern.
When did Pepote take over La Taberna de Paula?
In 2010, when he left his legal and corporate career to run an old tavern in the Chamberí neighbourhood where he'd grown up.
Where is José Manuel Marina Puig from?
He's of Aragonese heritage and grew up in Madrid's Chamberí neighbourhood, where he later opened La Taberna de Paula.