MARTÍN BERASATEGUI & PIRA CHARCOAL OVENS
Martín Berasategui, one of the world’s best-known chefs and a leading figure in contemporary haute cuisine, who has been awarded seven Michelin stars, is also a supporter of products made in Pira.
After almost two years of using the Pira BBQ-M150 charcoal barbecue, and in view of its superb performance, Martín has decided to add the Pira -90 LUX Inox charcoal oven (formerly the Pira-50 LUX Inox model) to his arsenal, installing it at his three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Lasarte-Oria, where he spends most of his time.
Chef Berasategui has acquired a range of accessories to go with his charcoal oven, including the following:
- Several wire racks, so that food can be cooked on different levels at the same time during periods of high workload in the kitchen.
- A ribbed grill, ideal for cooking high-fat foods or delicate dishes, preventing the flames from burning the food.
- A warming tray, specially designed for meat. It also serves to keep dishes warm – usually cooked or nearly cooked side dishes – ready for the final touch in the oven.
- A charcoal table, specially designed for the charcoal oven. Its drawer and tray provide space to store essential items, as well as the charcoal needed for several sittings. Fitted with heavy-duty nylon castors, it is designed to secure the oven to the table, allowing the oven to be wheeled out onto the terrace when required.
By moving the barbecue and oven from the kitchen out into the garden, Chef Berasategui is able to enjoy – and share with his most distinguished guests – the spectacle of cooking over an open flame. Here is a brief summary of what he tells us in the video recorded on the terrace of his restaurant:
‘In the charcoal oven, I usually cook vegetables, fish, seafood, meat, rice dishes, fideuá and cereals; by controlling the intensity of the charcoal, you can cook anything… the other day I made a cheesecake that turned out absolutely brilliant.‘
And on the subject of Pira barbecues, he tells us:
‘On Pira barbecues, I cook whole lambs, all sorts of fish, and cocochas. I’ve cooked everything here.’
This video was filmed in a single take and was completely spontaneous, with no preparation, giving the floor to the famous chef. That is why the final part of the video moves us and fills us with pride in particular, as Chef Berasategui says, referring to Pira:
‘It’s absolutely marvellous. We’re absolutely delighted to have you here. We love you, and it’s no wonder everyone admires you.’
