![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/ex-premier-league-star-now-runs-popular-london-restaurants-including-michelin-star-venue/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/0_LALIGA-Photocall-In-Madrid.jpg&description=Gaizka Mendieta enjoyed the twilight of his career at Middlesbrough after performing impressively at the likes of Valencia but is now investing in high class Michelin-star restaurants in London Gaizka Mendieta spent the latter days of his career at Middlesbrough, now he's ensuring Londoners are served fine Spanish food. The midfielder was a major coup for the Riverside club when he joined them in 2003 on loan before making his move permanent a year later. He made 83 appearances in his four years with the Premier League club, later hanging up his boots in 2007. The classy playmaker is now part of a group producing high quality cuisine from his homeland. Mendieta is one of several investors in the popular chain Iberica, which works with Michelin-starred chef Nacho Manzano. Branches are based in several up market London locations including Canary Wharf, Marylebone, Fitzrovia and Victoria. The 40-capped international is also a backer of a new paella-focused London eatery, Arros QD, as well as a third venture, Mercado Central in Cambridge. He told City AM: 'I saw the business opportunity. I wanted to be involved in something that was real. I love not only the food but the learning. I try to be involved as much as I can in the projects, from selecting venues, how we design the space – not so much on the chefs – but I like to have input. 'I've always been intrigued by business. With food, I was a client of Iberica and over time I got to know some of the shareholders. The opportunity came there and I took it. The food took me to the business, but I love both.' Mendieta also went on to add: 'People from Valencia who live in London come and congratulate us. Believe me, for Valencia people to do that means a lot. I've grown up with paella. I never thought it would be part of my business life eventually, but there you are. When they talked to me about paella, I said 'hey, wait, I know a little bit about that'." The Spaniard enjoyed an impressive playing career, spending time at){kind=link}
Gaizka Mendieta enjoyed the twilight of his career at Middlesbrough after performing impressively at the likes of Valencia but is now investing in high class Michelin-star restaurants in London
Gaizka Mendieta spent the latter days of his career at Middlesbrough, now he’s ensuring Londoners are served fine Spanish food.
The midfielder was a major coup for the Riverside club when he joined them in 2003 on loan before making his move permanent a year later. He made 83 appearances in his four years with the Premier League club, later hanging up his boots in 2007. The classy playmaker is now part of a group producing high quality cuisine from his homeland.
Mendieta is one of several investors in the popular chain Iberica, which works with Michelin-starred chef Nacho Manzano. Branches are based in several up market London locations including Canary Wharf, Marylebone, Fitzrovia and Victoria. The 40-capped international is also a backer of a new paella-focused London eatery, Arros QD, as well as a third venture, Mercado Central in Cambridge.
He told City AM: “I saw the business opportunity. I wanted to be involved in something that was real. I love not only the food but the learning. I try to be involved as much as I can in the projects, from selecting venues, how we design the space â not so much on the chefs â but I like to have input.