Although Francis Paniego trained in some of the finest restaurants in Spain, he has always maintained a close connection with traditional cuisine and the produce of his homeland. He credits his mother, Marisa Sánchez, a leading figure in traditional Riojan cuisine, with providing his earliest influences and shaping his culinary DNA. 

This tradition is evident in the kitchens of the two restaurants that Paniego runs: El Portal de Echaurren (two Michelin stars and three Repsol suns) and Echaurren Tradición (one Repsol sun). Both are located within the Hotel Echaurren, a family-run business for five generations. Recently refurbished, it is a member of the Relais & Châteaux quality association and is located in the village of Ezcaray.

Paniego also serves as a culinary consultant for the Hotel Marqués de Riscal in Elciego (Álava), where he earned a Michelin star in 2012. Since 2019, he has also advised the Hotel Hermitage in Andorra, which secured its first Michelin star in the 2022 guide – the first ever for Andorra. 

Paniego has been honoured with the National Gastronomy Award for Best Head Chef in Spain (2011) and the Chef de L’Avenir award (2015) from the Spanish Academy of Gastronomy.