Chef Pedro Subijana, 77, remains at the helm of Akelarre and criticises people in their fifties thinking about early retirement.
According to OK Diario, the San Sebastián chef Pedro Subijana, who has been running the Akelarre restaurant for five decades, does not plan to leave his profession at the age of 77. He explained this in an interview to mark the release of a documentary about his life.
Subijana clarifies a statement he made where he said his life project is for 200 years. "It's a joke," he admits, adding: "I said 200 years, but I'm not foolish: I know it will happen when it happens".
"It annoys and irritates me that there are people in their fifties who are thinking about early retirement"
With these words, the chef criticises that people still with much to contribute to society consider stopping so soon. He asserts that he will continue "as long as I can", although his role is no longer the same: now he mainly works as a consultant and manager, alongside his closest team and his daughter.
Subijana has been in the profession for six decades. Regarding his continued activity, he says: "I could have retired many years ago, but I didn't want to".
His stance contrasts with the official calendar. In 2026, the ordinary retirement age in Spain is 66 years and ten months, or 65 years for those who have contributed at least 38 years and three months. By 2027, the ordinary age will rise to 67 years. Early retirements before the age of 60, common in sectors like banking, are negotiated with each company and fall outside this general scheme.
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