Home is where the heart is, and for Chef Marco Antonio Blanquer Torres that phrase rings especially true. He began his culinary journey in Dénia, Alicante, Spain, helping to grow his family’s Rembrand Restaurant Original Tapas & Paella. Today he brings authentic Spanish flavors to Dubai as head chef of Salero Tapas & Bodega at the Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates.
At Salero, Chef Torres develops the restaurant’s menus and recipes and oversees food for private functions, parties and external catering. His aim is to inspire diners and create memorable experiences that encourage them to return. His career has taken him through Spain and China and included designing menus and training kitchen teams for a Spanish restaurant at New Delhi’s five-star Anya Hotel and Resort.
Salero offers classic tapas and shared platters with a contemporary touch, highlighting selections from Spain’s finest bodegas. The kitchen prepares traditional paellas and house-made sangria, while the atmosphere comes alive with flamenco performances and live DJs on many nights. It’s a culinary escape from Dubai’s desert landscape into the vibrant spirit of Spain.
Which destinations inspired you, and how has that inspiration translated into your culinary concepts?
I’ve learned recipes from chefs around the world and adapted them with my own approach. Working alongside well-known chefs in Spain enriched my skills, but it’s the lessons from my family business that shape my cooking most deeply. Those roots are central to what I bring to Salero.
Whom do you consider to be your culinary heroes?
Ferran Adrià and José Andrés.
What one person most influenced your cooking style?
Two chefs have been especially influential: Rafa Soler Atanet and José Vicente Jorge Luch.
What is your favorite food city?
Dénia, in the province of Alicante, is where my family’s restaurant originates. I draw on the flavors and traditions of Dénia when creating dishes at Salero Tapas & Bodega to give guests an authentic taste of Spain here in Dubai.
What do you think the next big trend on the food scene will be?
I see traditional street food gaining more attention and moving into upscale settings, including five-star hotels, without losing its casual appeal. At the same time, diners are becoming more health-conscious, and that focus on wellbeing influences how people choose their meals.
SALERO TAPAS & BODEGA
Ground Floor, Kempinski Hotel,
Mall of the Emirates
Sheikh Zayed Road
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
tel 971 4 409 5888
salero-bodega.com