3Cat's new series 'Gènesi' tells the story of El Bulli, highlighting its impact on global cuisine. It premiered at the San Sebastian Film Festival on Sept. 21, 2026.
The six-part series ‘Gènesi’ by 3Cat dives into the origin story of the renowned Catalan restaurant El Bulli. Premiering two episodes at the San Sebastian Film Festival on September 21, 2026, the series explores El Bulli’s legacy as it was awarded the title of the world's best restaurant five times before its closure in 2011.
El Bulli, led by celebrated chef Ferran Adrià, set new standards for haute cuisine and transformed the global culinary landscape. ‘Gènesi’ encapsulates this journey by spotlighting key figures, including the late Juli Soler and Albert Adrià, while discussing the restaurant's profound impact on Catalonia’s cultural and culinary traditions.
The series is co-produced by 3Cat, Minoria Absoluta, and Fishcorb Media, with backing from the Government of Catalonia. Netflix will distribute the series throughout Spain, Europe, Latin America, and the U.S., while New Regency oversees international sales. This collaboration coincides with Catalonia’s recognition as a World Gastronomy Region.
In discussions about the series, both Ferran Adrià and director David Pujol shared insights into their commitment to authentic representation. According to Adrià, the series captures the essence of El Bulli, from its innovative dishes to the intricate personal dynamics that shaped its legacy. He emphasized the importance of authentically portraying the restaurant's cuisine, noting that around 70 dishes were recreated for the series. “The dishes are characters in their own right,” Adrià acknowledged.
Pujol highlighted the challenges in casting an actor for Adrià’s role. Miquel Fernández impressed the team with his audition, demonstrating a deep understanding of Adrià’s essence.
‘Gènesi’ addresses pivotal questions, particularly the surprising decision to close El Bulli at its peak popularity. The series presents various factors, emphasizing personal struggles of the restaurant leadership and the exhaustion that comes with longstanding culinary innovation. Adrià mentioned, “We closed at the height of our success, transforming ourselves to keep creating,” reflecting the courage it took to make such a significant decision.
The series pays homage to El Bulli’s groundbreaking contributions while placing it within the broader context of Catalonia's diverse gastronomic culture. Prominent Catalan chefs such as Oriol Castro, Santi Santamaría, and Christian Escribà are acknowledged, showcasing the collective effort that defined a culinary revolution in the region.
Adrià stated, “Catalonia has an extraordinary gastronomic culture… but countless chefs, restaurants, producers, and professionals made it possible.” This sentiment encapsulates the spirit of collaboration and innovation that characterized El Bulli and the Catalan culinary scene.
The launch of 'Gènesi' signifies a pivotal moment in the celebration of Catalan culinary arts and the historical impact of El Bulli. With strategic distribution through Netflix and a focus on authentic storytelling, this series is likely to engage food enthusiasts and those curious about the evolution of gourmet cooking on a global scale.
As audiences engage with the series, renewed interest in El Bulli’s legacy is expected, further solidifying its place in culinary history. Through an intimate look at the lives and challenges of those behind the restaurant, ‘Gènesi’ reinforces the significance of context and personal story in understanding cultural phenomena.
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