Acclaimed Basque-Moroccan Chef Najat Kaanache to Open First Spanish Restaurant in Seville

After opening her seventh restaurant in Rabat, Najat announced the opening, in the fall, of another one in Seville, her first in Spain. It will be located on the first floor of the Taberna del Alabardero in Seville. "It will be called Ziryab (a Muslim poet, gourmet, musician and singer of the 9th century...) and will of course serve Andalusian cuisine," she said in an interview with 7canibales.

The Basque-Moroccan does not consider herself a "businesswoman". "I am a chef. Cooking is my way of interacting with the world. The restaurant management business came like that and I accept it. And I must say that I like to create different spaces," explains Najat, who does not deny her Moroccan origins.

To read: Moroccan-Basque Chef Najat Kaanache Shares Global Culinary Journey in New Memoir

"I cook Moroccan, but not the tagine or couscous. I settled in Morocco because I found peace here. I feel free. For my clients, I’m Moroccan. On the other hand, for Moroccans, I’m a foreigner. In the end, I come from nowhere," she nuances.

"We have gone through a difficult period in recent years. Many shops and businesses did not survive, and many others had to reinvent themselves," laments the chef, referring to the adverse effects of the health crisis. For Najat, "we must respect the farmer, the fisherman, the baker... But we must not forget the workers who toil all day for 30 euros. When we take pleasure in eating a good tomato, it is important to know what is behind it...," she details.

Born to Moroccan parents, Najat grew up in San Sebastian. After training in the best kitchens in the world, she settled in 2016 in the Medina of Fez where she opened Nur, her first restaurant, ranked Best Restaurant in Africa and Best Moroccan Restaurant in the World.