elBulli closes for two years to 'rethink its restaurant concept'

The current team at elBulli in Spain

The world's top restaurant, elBulli, has announced it will be closing for a period of two years as renowned chef Ferran Adrià looks to stimulate the restaurant's concept and inject a fresh wave of creativity.

In a statement, the Spanish restaurant said: "elBulli will open from the 15th June until the 20th December during 2010. The opening calendar for 2011 will be announced in September 2010. elBulli will then remain closed to the public during 2012 and 2013. These two years will be devoted to think, plan and prepare the new format for subsequent years."

The announcement was made at the food festival, Madrid Fusion, during a ceremony being held to celebrate Adrià's achievements in the restaurant industry. He said the decision was "personal and professional" adding that the kitchens will be used as laboratories during the two-year period.

elBulli is well regarded as one of the world's finest places to eat. The entire 2010 season is already fully booked.

It currently holds three Michelin stars, an achievement the restaurant will have to give up when it closes in 2012. elBulli will then need to be inspected when it opens again in 2014 and work to build itself back up to the three-star level.

Words: Clare Riley

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