A new gastronomic and historical adventure is about to set sail from the the Basque Country. It is a Open call to choose the cook which will be part of the crew of the San Juana 16th century Basque ship rebuilt to repeat the voyage that linked Europe with Newfoundland (Canada).
The expedition, promoted by San Sebastián Gastronomy in collaboration with Albaola, the Basque Maritime Factoryseeks to recreate the historic voyage of the Basque whalers of 1565, reliving the living, navigation and food conditions of that time.
A unique call to relive history
During the 2025 edition of the congress San Sebastián Gastronomya was launched public call to select the chef who will accompany the expedition of the Saint John. According to the organizing committee, the chosen chef will have the mission of recreate meals as they were prepared five centuries agousing utensils and techniques from the 16th century throughout the journey.
The process is open to culinary professionals who wish to live a historical experience, although The salary and benefits of the position have not yet been detailed.beyond the opportunity to join a unique transatlantic trip. According to 7Caníbalesapplicants must demonstrate both culinary knowledge and willingness to coexist in traditional navigation conditions, without modern technology.
The San Juan: a jewel of Basque maritime heritage
He Saint John was a 16th century Basque whaler built in Tickets (Guipúzcoa) and sunk in 1565 off the coast of Red Bay, in Canada, during a storm. Discovered in 1978 by underwater archaeologists from Parks Canadaits discovery became one of the most important maritime archeology projects in the North Atlantic.
For years now, Albaola, the Basque Maritime Factoryworks in the exact reconstruction of the ship using techniques and materials of the time, with the aim of returning a faithful replica of the original ship to the sea. The new Saint John not only represents a tribute to the Basque seafaring tradition, but also a symbol of the historical links between the the Basque Country y Canada.
Expedition details
The journey of the new Saint John will start from Basque Country heading to Newfoundlandfollowing the same route of the whalers that transported oil and fishing products more than 450 years ago. On board, a group of sailors, historians and technicians will relive the journey with the limitations and rhythms of traditional navigation.
According to the media Straight to the Palatethe vessel will not have modern amenities and will depend on wind, tides and historic provisions. The objective is recreate as faithfully as possible the experience of 1565both logistically and humanly, making it a living tribute to Basque maritime history.
A trip that unites gastronomy, history and sea
The project of Saint John not only seeks to rescue a naval feat, but also connect past and present through cuisine and maritime culture. The choice of the chef will be the first step to revive a way of life that marked the trade and Atlantic exploration of the 16th century.
The expedition, which promises to combine history, navigation and ancestral gastronomy, reaffirms the commitment of the the Basque Country with the preservation of its maritime heritage. He Saint John It will set sail as a floating ambassador of Basque memory, heading to the waters of Newfoundland where its history began almost five centuries ago.
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