The values of creativity at elBulli
With Ferran Adrià, we inaugurated at 7Caníbales an open forum for the reflections and opinions of all professionals in the sector.
The profession of chef has many facets; you can be entrepreneurial or not, you can choose the path of reproducing or creating. It's something you'll decide. If you choose the path of creation, over time you'll develop a philosophy, a way of focusing your thinking in relation to what it means to create.
Creativity is the human capacity to create, and it allows us chefs to think outside the box, find new solutions, and generate ideas. In short, everything related to creation.
At elBulli, creating was a collaborative effort undertaken with complete freedom, passion, enthusiasm, a desire to learn every day, maximum efficiency, a clear strategy, and a great deal of effort and perseverance. We understood that while one can possess exceptional creative talent, without these qualities it was very difficult to achieve our goals.
These characteristics were what we conveyed to all the professionals who worked at elBulli during all the years we were open.
But without a doubt, for us, the values that had to accompany the entire creative process were the most important thing we wanted them to take with them when they finished their time at elBulli.
What were these values?
The first was respect, both for the past, for those who had paved the way for us, and for our colleagues who practice their profession in the restoration industry every day. This value was linked to humility, to being as normal as possible.
The second value was creative honesty. This quality was vital for us. It allowed us to be at peace with ourselves, and the more creative ambition one has, the more important it is. Going to sleep with a positive creative mindset allowed us to wake up each day and face the creative process in the best possible way.
The next value was the desire to share knowledge and experience; to be generous. This excited us because it allows your profession to evolve and improve continuously.
And finally, gratitude. We instilled this value in the team by setting an example; we always highly valued the people who helped us to be better and we always gave, gave, and will always give thanks to them.
What we were trying to achieve with these values was to be as happy as possible with cooking and creativity.
