Ricardo Velez
Madrid-born chef at Moulin Chocolat, named Best Pastry Chef in Spain 2014.
- Restaurants
- 1
- Born
- 1978 · Madrid
Ricardo Vélez is the chef at Moulin Chocolat, a French pâtisserie and restaurant in Madrid's Recoletos neighbourhood that he founded in 2006. Born in Madrid in 1978, he trained at pastry houses including Mindanao and Lhardy before specialising in chocolate at Valrhona's École du Grand Chocolat, and he now advises Lhardy and Chocolatería San Ginés. He was named Best Pastry Chef in Spain 2014 and received the Prix au Chef Pâtissier in 2017.
Biography
Early years
Ricardo Velez was born in Madrid in 1978 and studied at Madrid's pastry school after finishing secondary education.
Career
He worked at pastry shops including Mindanao, Del Pozo and Mallorca before joining Lhardy around age 22. In 2003 he specialised in chocolate work, training at Valrhona's École du Grand Chocolat in France. He founded Moulin Chocolat in 2006, later opening The Patissier in 2015 as a research and development space, and also runs Maison Glace ice cream shops and advises Lhardy and the San Gines chocolate shop, for which he designed a truffle line, turróns, a panettone and candied orange dipped in chocolate. His sister Puy joined the business full-time in 2009. He was named Best Pastry Chef in Spain 2014 by the Real Academia de Gastronomia (Paco Torreblanca Award) and received the Prix au Chef Patissier from the Academia Internacional de Gastronomia, awarded at a ceremony in Paris in February 2017.
Philosophy
Velez describes himself as "a creator of sweet experiences" and has said "the good pastry chef is 95 percent technique and 5 percent innovation," prioritising quality and rigorous ingredient standards over quantity. He also presents a chocolate palmera made with Iberian pork fat.
Restaurants
Accolades
- ·Best Pastry Chef in Spain 2014 (Real Academia de Gastronomía, Paco Torreblanca Award)
- ·Prix au Chef Pâtissier 2017 (Academia Internacional de Gastronomía)
Frequently asked
Who is the chef at Moulin Chocolat?
Ricardo Vélez, born in Madrid in 1978, is the chef and founder of Moulin Chocolat.
What awards has Ricardo Vélez won?
He was named Best Pastry Chef in Spain 2014 by the Real Academia de Gastronomía and received the Prix au Chef Pâtissier in 2017 from the Academia Internacional de Gastronomía.
What does Moulin Chocolat serve?
French pâtisserie and restaurant fare in Madrid's Recoletos area, founded by Vélez in 2006 and known for its macarons and chocolate work.
Where is Moulin Chocolat located?
In the Recoletos neighbourhood of Madrid, on Calle de Alcalá, opposite the Parque del Retiro.
Where did Ricardo Vélez train before opening Moulin Chocolat?
He worked at pastry houses including Mindanao and Lhardy, then specialised in chocolate at Valrhona's École du Grand Chocolat in France.
Does Ricardo Vélez run other businesses besides Moulin Chocolat?
Yes, he also runs The Pâtissier and Maison Glacée ice cream shops, and advises Lhardy and Chocolatería San Ginés.
What did Ricardo Vélez create for Chocolatería San Ginés?
A truffle line, turróns, a panettone and chocolate-dipped candied orange, around the time of his 2017 Prix au Chef Pâtissier award.