Chef Paco Ron, Pioneer of Nueva Cocina Asturiana, Dies at 68

Paco Ron, the chef who brought the first Michelin star to western Asturias and co-founded the Nueva Cocina Asturiana movement, has died at the age of 68. His death was announced on July 21, 2026, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across Spain's gastronomic world.

A Pioneer in Asturias

Ron's career took a decisive turn in the late 1980s when he opened the Taberna de Viavélez in the tiny fishing village of Viavélez. Sources agree that he earned a Michelin star for the restaurant, though accounts differ on the year: some report 1999 Source: ABC, while others say 1998 Source: El Mundo. The star was the first ever awarded in western Asturias. Ron also co-founded the NUCA (Nueva Cocina Asturiana) collective in 1998 alongside Nacho Manzano, Pedro Martino, and José Antonio Campoviejo, which helped modernize the region's cuisine Source: La Vanguardia.

Madrid Years and Legacy

After closing Viavélez in 2005 due to a lack of clientele, Ron moved to Madrid and opened a new restaurant with his sister Sara in 2008 (some sources say 2007) Source: Infobae. The Madrid Viavélez became a celebrated ambassador of Asturian cuisine until his health forced retirement around 2023. In June 2024, already ill, he received a heartfelt tribute in Viavélez from colleagues including José Luis Almeida, president of Hostelería de España, who called him "an extraordinary person" Source: La Vanguardia. El Mundo notes that the profession organized a surprise homage two years earlier, in 2023.