3Cat's 'Gènesi' Explores the Genesis of El Bulli, Ferran Adrià's Legendary Restaurant

The new six-episode television program 'Gènesi,' produced by 3Cat, made its debut with two episodes at the esteemed San Sebastian Film Festival on September 21. This captivating series takes viewers on a journey to explore the foundational years of the renowned Catalan eatery, El Bulli, a establishment that earned the title of the world's finest restaurant five times before its closure in 2011. Concurrently with its festival premiere, 'Gènesi' also began airing on the Catalan broadcaster 3Cat, bringing the compelling narrative of culinary innovation and legacy to a wider audience.

The dramatic television series centers on the pivotal personalities who shaped El Bulli's destiny, notably its celebrated chef, Ferran Adrià, his brother Albert Adrià, and the late manager and co-owner, Juli Soler. It underscores the restaurant's profound influence on the global landscape of haute cuisine, while simultaneously situating its ground-breaking approach within the rich tapestry of Catalonia's traditional culinary arts and enduring cultural heritage. The show also shines a light on other significant figures in Catalan gastronomy, such as Oriol Castro, Santi Santamaría, Fermí Puig, and Christian Escribà, whose contributions are essential to fully grasp the extensive legacy of El Bulli.

In an exclusive conversation with Variety, Adrià and Pujol shared their thoughts on the series and the lasting legacy of the restaurant. Ferran Adrià described his experience of being portrayed by actor Miquel Fernández, noting the challenge of capturing his unique voice and mannerisms, which Fernández achieved with remarkable authenticity. Director David Pujol highlighted the difficulty of casting the role of Ferran Adrià, praising Fernández's dedicated research and compelling performance.

The series meticulously recreates approximately 70 of El Bulli's signature dishes, a testament to the dedication of the production team. Adrià emphasized the importance of authenticity, explaining that former El Bulli chefs Marc Cuspinera, Alain Devhaive, and Eduard Bosch-Lalo were brought in to ensure the dishes were accurately represented, serving not merely as props but as integral 'characters' in the narrative. The series also addresses the long-standing question of why El Bulli closed at the pinnacle of its success. Adrià revealed it was a confluence of factors, including reaching the creative limits of their gastronomic model, Juli Soler's impending illness, and Albert Adrià's burgeoning independent projects. Both Adrià and Pujol reiterated that the closure was a brave decision made at the height of their popularity, transforming the restaurant's legacy rather than ending it.

Ferran Adrià also spoke about the special significance of a restaurant run by his late friend, Rafa, which appears in Episode 2. This establishment, now managed by Rafa's wife, symbolizes the fundamental principle of respecting exceptional ingredients. Adrià explained that this philosophy, though seemingly simple, served as a crucial reminder amid El Bulli's intense experimentation, demonstrating that culinary greatness can be found in both complexity and simplicity. He also elaborated on the distinctiveness of Catalan cuisine, attributing its uniqueness to a blend of diverse landscapes, rich tradition, innovation, and a collaborative gastronomic ecosystem. Pujol added that El Bulli's influence has inspired a new generation of world-renowned restaurants in Catalonia, underscoring a regional mindset that balances territorial understanding, respect for tradition, and continuous reinterpretation.

The 'Gènesi' series, a collaboration between 3Cat, Minoria Absoluta, and Fishcorb Media, with support from the Government of Catalonia's ICEC, was conceived in 2025 to coincide with Catalonia's designation as a World Gastronomy Region, further solidifying the region's culinary prominence.