On June 2nd, Marbella-born chef Dani García was one of the main stars of the first edition of “Culinary Icons,” a unique gastronomic event held at Puente Romano Marbella that brought together three global icons of haute cuisine on the same stage: Nobu Matsuhisa (Nobu), Izu Ani (GAIA), and Dani García (Leña).
On this very special occasion, Dani García served as the local host in the iconic setting of Puente Romano, where he leads Leña, one of his most internationally successful culinary concepts. During this once-in-a-lifetime lunch, the Andalusian chef offered his personal and contemporary take on tuna—the star ingredient of the day—through an exquisite dish of tuna parpatana over celeriac purée. A creation that blended local product with the chef’s technique and sensitivity, it was savored by over 200 guests who filled the recently renovated La Plaza of the resort.
During the event, each chef presented a live culinary creation with tuna as the common thread. Meanwhile, their respective teams simultaneously recreated these dishes in each of their restaurants within the complex, resulting in a multisensory, immersive experience that connected guests with each chef’s unique culinary universe—from the plate to the presentation.
“Returning to Puente Romano, the place where it all began for me, is always special. But doing so for such a noble cause and alongside legends like Nobu and Izu has been simply unforgettable. Culinary Icons was not only a celebration of haute cuisine, but also a chance to give back through what we do best: moving people through food. I’m deeply grateful to be part of an initiative that brings together flavor, talent, and solidarity,” stated Dani García.
The event also had a charitable purpose, with all proceeds donated to the Cruz Roja Española in support of its outstanding humanitarian work.
With this first edition, Culinary Icons establishes itself as a must-attend event in the Costa del Sol’s gastronomic scene and further strengthens Dani García’s role as an ambassador of contemporary Andalusian cuisine. A proposal that not only celebrates haute cuisine, but also highlights the chef’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and the social dimension of gastronomy.
