Chef Pola Hemaia from Reus qualifies for the prestigious Chef of the Year 2026 contest final

The head of L’Alkimista restaurant will compete in the grand final on March 26 against five rivals who hold three Michelin stars combined.

Imatge genèrica d'un xef treballant en una cuina professional d'alta gastronomia, amb plats creatius.

Imatge genèrica d'un xef treballant en una cuina professional d'alta gastronomia, amb plats creatius.

Chef Pola Hemaia, from the L’Alkimista restaurant in Reus, has qualified for the grand final of the X edition of the Chef of the Year Contest, scheduled for March 26.

Hemaia will compete for the title in one of the most relevant events on the professional gastronomic calendar in Spain. He will face five other chefs who collectively hold three stars and four mentions from the prestigious Michelin Guide.
The Catalan chef of Egyptian origin secured his spot after classifying second in the semifinal held in A Coruña. This event gathered over 250 guests, including renowned chefs, entrepreneurs, and journalists, testing the participants' technique and creativity.

"Participating in this contest means a lot to me, and I am very proud to have made it this far, but I am also aware that this is just the beginning. This final could be the springboard I need to continue growing, and I do not intend to waste it."

Pola Hemaia · Chef at L’Alkimista
Leading L’Alkimista, Hemaia has developed a culinary proposal recognized by both the Michelin Guide and the Repsol Guide. His career, which began while studying Psychology, has led him to travel through Southeast Asia and other regions, incorporating techniques and flavors that now consolidate his culinary offering in Reus.
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