Israel Aretxiga
Israel Aretxiga, Corporate Chef & Operating Partner
Zeru Group, Mexico City & Miami
Israel Aretxiga is the corporate chef and operating partner of Zeru Group, with locations in San Ángel and Lomas de Chapultepec in Mexico, and is overseeing the group’s international expansion with their first location outside of Mexico in Miami. Israel is an expert in traditional Spanish, Basque-French and Mediterranean cuisine.
In addition to his role with Zeru Group, Israel is currently an operating partner in Ituarte Events, one of the largest and most influential catering companies in Mexico where he oversees the production, operation, and execution of all events. Additionally, Israel is the host and chef of the Gastrolab program on Heraldo de México, a broadcaster on national cable TV in Mexico that features various chefs, sommeliers, and producers and is a radio host on the Gastrolab Radio program on 98.5 FM, covering Mexico and parts of the United States. While Israel was with Ituarte Group, he led their events and catering division, oversaw the opening of the first Zeru restaurant in 2008, and was a hospitality consultant to Emilio and Jerónimo restaurants, all in Mexico City.
Chef Israel, a Mexico City native, boasts an impressive resume brimming with culinary training and experience from various kitchens across Mexico and Europe. He completed a diploma course in molecular gastronomy and avant-garde cuisine techniques and products, instructed by renowned chefs Albert and Ferrán Adriá. Furthermore, Israel is certified by the Mexican Sommeliers Association as a sommelier.
Prior to his time with Zeru Group, Israel worked with the Ituarte Group from 2005 to 2020, serving as the executive chef at Restaurant Alaia for more than 10 years and becoming an operating partner for the last five years. In the Summer of 2017, he assisted with opening Sansse Restaurant in San Sebastian, Basque Country, where he honed his techniques and skills around Basque-Mexican cuisine. Additionally, he completed guest stints at several restaurants, including the 3 Michelin-starred Restaurante Martín Berasategui in Lasarte, Basque Country, and Restaurante Kaia-Kaipe, considered one of the 100 best traditional cuisine restaurants in the world, in Getaria, Basque Country Spain. Israel had also worked as an instructor in traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine at Ambrosía Centro Culinario in Mexico City since 2014.
Israel has traveled to more than 30 countries for culinary and cultural exploration and has been invited to participate in globally recognized gastronomic events in Norway, Spain, and beyond as a guest and as a judge. Israel currently splits his time between Mexico City and Miami.
