Born in Extremadura, Quique Dacosta is now a Valencian by choice. He began his career as a chef in 1986 and has been associated with the Dénia restaurant that now bears his name since 1988. Under his leadership, Quique Dacosta Restaurante has become one of the most prominent names in Spanish haute cuisine.

As well as his restaurant in Dénia, he runs Flores Raras, which will replace El Poblet in Valencia from 2026, Llisa Negra and Vuelve Carolina. He also serves as culinary director at Deessa and oversees the entire culinary offering at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz in Madrid. Outside of Spain, he is at the helm of Arros QD in London, as well as the restaurants Le Méditerranée and Pool Beach at the Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay hotel in Morocco.

Recognised with some of the most prestigious awards in Spanish and international gastronomy, Dacosta’s career has been characterised by culinary research, outreach, and expanding his gastronomic universe through restaurants, publications, and international projects.