David Montes

David Montes performs under the nickname El Furtivu, which means "The Poacher" in Spanish—someone who moves through the countryside unnoticed.

Like a hunter, David seeks out forgotten recipes from the Basque rural areas. He travels to mountain villages to cook "Asado a la Estaca," a traditional method of roasting a whole animal over an open fire.

His passion for Basque tradition is clear in his love for hunting and his work with small local producers. He brought authentic Roncal sheep’s cheese and smoked Idiazabal cheese to the Czech Republic. You can now taste both on the new Chef Menu. All recipes on this menu feature the smoky flavor of fire-roasted Piquillo peppers. David also uses a unique twist on the classic aioli by combining it with black garlic.

David Montes is not only a fan of tradition but also an experienced chef. He works as a consultant for restaurants in Madrid, Asturias, and Switzerland, and appears on several cooking shows. Currently, he is the head chef at the Finca Villa Maria estate in Asturias, Spain. You can now enjoy his Basque recipes here in the Czech Republic in the La Concha Pork and Bilbao Chicken baguettes, or with the Brandada potato-cheese spread.