Daniel Olivella

Chef-Owner, Barlata Tapas Bar | Austin, TX

Daniel Olivella is the chef-owner of Barlata Tapas Bar in Austin, Texas. A native of Vilafranca del Penedes, Barcelona in the Mediterranean coast, he has been cooking there for over forty-years and in the USA for the past thirty-five years. Daniel started his career in Chicago at family-owned restaurant La Paella in 1979 as an all-around family member. There, under the supervision of his French-raised uncle, he was trained on traditional French and Spanish service and food preparation. In Chicago he went on to work for the Lettuce Entertain You group, before moving to San Francisco in 1987. There, he worked as a line cook at Delfina, Zuni Café, Zazie, and the Maltese Grill.  He went on to become the opening chef of Thirsty Bear Brewing Co. In 1999, Daniel opened his own restaurant, B44 Catalan Bistro, which specialized in Catalan cuisine. He was named a Rising Star Chef of the Year in 2001 by San Francisco magazine. Daniel opened his first Barlata concept in March 2009 in the Temescal neighborhood of Oakland. In 2013, he moved Barlata Tapas Bar to Austin.  He has presented at different CIA seminars and retreats and has worked with the University of Texas in developing their nutrition department. His book, Catalan Food, was published by Clarkson Potter in September 2018. @chefdaniolivella (Instagram)