ABOUT US
Basqueria is a way of life.
And that way of life is a love story between Basque country and southern California. While they may be thousands of miles apart, Basque and SoCal share a sense of identity. A way of being. Sun. Sea. Surf. Living and eating outdoors. A strong Hispanic influence—Spain for Basque, Mexico for California. Sustainability—the sense that Mother Nature doesn’t just exist, but is our friend. Even more importantly, the idea that she is her own chef. Good ingredients, simply prepared and eaten right where they are grown. Basqueria was born from this union, this “way to be”.
Sebastien Pourrat
Our Founder & Chef
Sebastien's own story is the inspiration for Basqueria. He grew up on a farm in the Basque Country in Southwest France, where the outdoors are everything and the best cooking happens when you are Mother Nature's sous chef.
Though food had always been an integral part of his life, Sebastien is not a chef by trade. Instead, he developed his culinary style (to rave reviews) at Cocotte restaurant in Soho, Manhattan, where four simple principles came to define Sebastien’s approach to cooking: top-tier ingredients, bold tastes, consistency, and warm hospitality
Building Basqueria was always the dream. Sebastien longed for the lifestyle shared by California and his home, and he knew he could bring their perfect union to life in a brand that touched people's lives wherever there was food: So he moved to California to do precisely that (and also for the weather).
Sebastien first introduced Basqueria through a chef's residency in San Francisco at the Michelin-Star restaurant Lord Stanley and through private dinners in LA and Malibu. As time went on, he realized more and more that what he had on was an idea even better than his cooking. Which, if you've ever tasted it, is fairly spectacular.
sofie roelens
creative director & partner
Sofie Roelens, a native of the Flemish region in Belgium, embodies the essence of creativity and culinary passion. Her journey from the fashion runways of Paris to the bustling streets of New York culminated in helping create Basqueria.
Sofie's story intertwines with Sebastien, her husband, in Paris, where their shared love for culinary exploration blossomed. Together, they brought their vision to life in New York with Cocotte, a culinary gem named after Sofie's endearing nickname.
As Basqueria's creative director, Sofie's keen eye for design and Her meticulous attention to detail has elevated CASITA Basqueria into a haven of sophistication and charm. nestled in the coastal beauty of Malibu. Here, every detail reflects her passion for hospitality, specialty foods, and curated home goods.
As a creative maker, Sofie also crafts delightful smelling candles and relaxing eye pillows using only organic products sourced locally, including lavender from Laudamus farm.
