Behind the Counter: A Conversation with Chef Rubén García of Casa Teresa

If you know me, you know I have a deep love for chefs who do more than just cook — they lead, push boundaries, and lift others as they rise. That’s exactly what Chef Rubén García is doing at Casa Teresa, his stunning, story-driven restaurant in the Square.

Born in Terrassa, Spain, Rubén’s culinary journey took him from the legendary kitchens of El Bulli to nearly two decades alongside José Andrés as Director of R&D for ThinkFoodGroup. But it’s what he’s building now—through his own group, Unfold Hospitality—that’s rewriting the narrative in all the best ways.

In this Behind the Counter, Rubén shares a powerful, deeply personal essay: a tribute to his great-grandmother Teresa and the incredible women reshaping the culinary landscape. It’s about equity, legacy, and creating real space for women to lead—not just with a seat at the table, but with their names above the door.

This isn’t any old essay.

So pour yourself a glass of something nice and settle in. Rubén’s got something to say—and trust me, you’ll want to hear it.

Breaking the Kitchen Ceiling: Elevating Women in the Culinary World
By Chef Rubén García, Casa Teresa

In my kitchen, everything starts with a story. Not just a recipe, not just a technique—but a story. The one that’s closest to my heart is that of my great-grandmother, Teresa Espinosa Moreno. She wasn’t a chef, but she taught me everything I needed to know about courage, about resilience, and about fighting for what’s right.

Teresa was a fearless activist who spent her life advocating for women’s rights in Spain during a time when speaking out as a woman—let alone demanding equality—was considered radical. She defied expectations and inspired generations, including me. When I opened Casa Teresa, I didn’t just want to cook beautiful food. I wanted to create a space that would carry her legacy forward.

That’s why I started Teresa’s Table—a dinner series that brings extraordinary female chefs into the spotlight. Each dinner is a tribute to the women who have shaped our industry and to the ones who’ve been overlooked for too long. These chefs are leaders, visionaries, storytellers. They deserve more than just a seat at the table—they deserve the whole kitchen.

I’ve had the privilege of working in some of the most demanding and high-profile kitchens in the world—places that shaped my craft and fueled my passion. But across the industry as a whole, I’ve also witnessed the barriers many women face: wage disparities, limited access to mentorship, biased perceptions, and systemic inequality. For far too long, women have been the backbone of the culinary world without being fully recognized for their leadership and contributions. That needs to change.

Teresa’s Table is my way of challenging the status quo. It's about amplifying women's voices and giving them the platform to showcase their brilliance, their creativity, and their leadership. Every dinner is an act of rebellion and reverence—rebellion against inequality, and reverence for the women who’ve paved the way.

Honoring Teresa’s memory through this work isn’t just a professional mission; it’s a personal one. I cook with her voice in my ear and her fire in my chest. And through Teresa’s Table, I invite others to feel that same fire—to listen, to learn, and to celebrate the women who are breaking ceilings and redefining what it means to lead in the culinary world.

Join us. Pull up a chair. Let’s rewrite the story of the kitchen—together.

– Chef Rubén García
 Casa Teresa