Juan Miguel Sola
Chef and co-founder of La Manduca de Azagra, a Repsol-rated Navarrese restaurant in Madrid built on vegetables from his family's orchard.
- Repsol Soles
1- Restaurants
- 1
- Born
- 1959 · Azagra
Juan Miguel Sola is the chef and co-founder of La Manduca de Azagra, a Repsol-rated Navarrese restaurant in Madrid he opened in 2003 with his wife, Anabel Arriezu, and his cousin Raquel Sánchez, after closing their original restaurant in Azagra, Navarra, where Sola was born in 1959. The kitchen is built around vegetables from Sola's family orchard, including the restaurant's signature pimientos de cristal, and the restaurant has won the Academia Navarra de Gastronomía prize (2015) and the Francisco Javier Prize from the Government of Navarra (2016).
Biography
Early years
Sola was born in Azagra, a farming town in Navarra's Ribera region, in 1959, and comes from a family of farmers; his father and uncles continue working the family orchards that supply vegetables to the Madrid restaurant.
Career
With his wife, Anabel Arriezu, and his cousin Raquel Sánchez, Sola closed their original restaurant, set in an old wine cellar in Azagra, and relocated the concept to Madrid in 2003, opening La Manduca de Azagra on Calle de Sagasta with interior design by architect Francisco (Patxi) Mangado. It won the Academia Navarra de Gastronomía prize in 2015 for bringing Navarrese cuisine to the capital, the Francisco Javier Prize from the Government of Navarra in 2016, and the Regional Cuisine award at Madrid's Gastronomy Awards in 2023.
Philosophy
Sola's approach favours a small number of exceptional ingredients over abundance, summed up in the house line "no se trata de tener mucho de todo, sino un poco de lo mejor" (it's not about having a lot of everything, but a little of the best).
Restaurants
On Guidavera
1Juan Miguel Sola in our guides
Editorial guides featuring Juan Miguel Sola’s restaurants.
Accolades
- ·Premio de la Academia Navarra de Gastronomía (2015)
- ·Premio Francisco Javier, Gobierno de Navarra (2016)
- ·Premio a la Cocina Regional, VII Premios de Gastronomía de Madrid (2023)
- ·1 Repsol Sol
Frequently asked
Does Juan Miguel Sola have a Michelin star?
No, La Manduca de Azagra holds a Repsol Sol. The restaurant has won the Academia Navarra de Gastronomía prize (2015) and the Francisco Javier Prize from the Government of Navarra (2016).
Where can I eat Juan Miguel Sola's cuisine in Madrid?
La Manduca de Azagra on Calle de Sagasta, 14, Madrid, serving Navarrese cuisine built around vegetables from Sola's family orchard in Azagra, including the restaurant's crystal peppers (pimientos de cristal).
What is La Manduca de Azagra known for?
Navarrese vegetable dishes, artichokes, asparagus, and pimientos de cristal, sourced from Sola's family orchard in Azagra, alongside grilled fish and meats.
Where is Juan Miguel Sola from?
He was born in Azagra, a farming town in Navarra's Ribera region, in 1959, into a family of farmers whose orchards still supply vegetables to La Manduca de Azagra in Madrid.
Who did Juan Miguel Sola open La Manduca de Azagra with?
He opened it in 2003 with his wife, Anabel Arriezu, and his cousin Raquel Sánchez, moving the concept from their original restaurant in an old wine cellar in Azagra.
What awards has La Manduca de Azagra won?
The Academia Navarra de Gastronomía prize (2015), the Francisco Javier Prize from the Government of Navarra (2016), and the Regional Cuisine award at Madrid's Gastronomy Awards (2023).