Rubén García

Casa Teresa

Featured:

Thursday, May 8, 2025 at the Winemaker Dinner Series
Saturday, May 10, 2025 at the Grand Tasting 

Born and raised in Terrassa, Spain, Chef Rubén García resolved to make cooking his life’s work at the age of 15. While studying at the prestigious Spanish culinary school Joviat in Manresa, Cataluña, García staged at several local restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Jean Luc Figueras in Barcelona. It was during this formative time that he met renowned chefs Albert and Ferran Adrià, leading to a five-year tenure at El Bulli, where García’s distinctive gastronomic perspective took shape.

García’s passion for travel and exploration led him to cross paths with El Bulli alum José Andrés, and he seized the opportunity to follow Andrés to the United States. In 2004, García joined ThinkFoodGroup, where he worked his way up to Research and Development Director. As Andrés’s second-in-command, García crafted menus, oversaw quality control, led special events and promotions, and provided leadership for all kitchens. During ThinkFoodGroup’s rapid expansion, García played a key role in spearheading openings in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Miami, and Las Vegas, earning him a StarChefs Rising Stars Award in 2010.

Despite his many accolades, García remains humble, driven more by passion than recognition. While he doesn’t actively seek the spotlight, he has appeared twice as victor on Iron Chef. García often attributes his culinary inspiration to the kitchen of his mother, aunt, and grandmother. His first exploration of cooking began at the age of six when he attempted to execute a recipe by Cookie Monster from a children’s magazine. Discovering the recipe was poorly constructed, he experimented and retooled it until he produced the perfect batch of brownies—a moment that sparked his lifelong love for the culinary arts.

In 2021, García co-founded Unfold Hospitality with Richie, an award-winning restaurant group committed to elevating the food and beverage industry through unique concepts and quality products. Unfold Hospitality serves as a platform for García’s creative vision, providing opportunities for innovation, partnerships, and mentorship within the restaurant industry. Their mission is to build community by creating special places and telling compelling stories through food, envisioning and developing concepts that marry delicious dining with warm hospitality.

In 2023, Unfold Hospitality opened Casa Teresa in downtown Washington, D.C. The restaurant quickly garnered critical acclaim, receiving praise from The Washington Post, The New York Times, and other national publications for its innovative approach and exceptional dining experience.

In 2025, García’s dedication to excellence was recognized with a nomination for the prestigious James Beard Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic award, solidifying his status as a culinary leader in the region.

Chef García is also passionate about instilling healthy eating habits in children. He actively participates in initiatives like the annual Kids Food Festival in New York City, helping inspire the next generation of food lovers.