Ricardo Vélez

Ricardo Vélez is a pastry chef based in Madrid, Spain, known for his innovative and sometimes controversial approach to traditional pastries. He is currently newsworthy due to the recent launch of his chocolate palmera at Moulin Chocolat, priced at 16 euros. This high price point, along with the use of premium ingredients like pork lard from Guijuelo, has sparked considerable debate and attention on social media and within the culinary community. Vélez's creation is being touted by some as the 'best chocolate palmera in the world,' further fueling the discussion. His work is significant because it challenges the perception of everyday pastries as luxury items and highlights the potential for elevating traditional recipes with high-quality ingredients and innovative techniques.