Marcas de Restauración awards prize to chef Pepa Muñoz

The Asociación Empresarial Marcas de Restauración (MDR), which represents 49 companies and brings together more than 170 brands in the branded restaurant sector, has just announced that the winner of this year's ‘Mujer con M de Marca’ (Woman with M for Brand) Award is chef Pepa Muñoz, for ‘El Qüenco de Pepa’, as a benchmark of Spanish gastronomy. 

The award will be presented on 12 March during the 16th edition of Restaurant Trends, as part of HIP - Horeca Professional Expo, held at IFEMA Madrid. 

With this award, the MDR business association highlights the power of gastronomy as a tool to help in critical moments and the firm vocation of service and commitment to the community, values that chef Pepa Muñoz absorbs in her daily work. 

The ‘Mujer con M de Marca’ (Women with a Capital M) movement was created by the aforementioned association as an initiative to honour, recognise and give visibility to exceptional women who stand out both for their leadership and for their ability to integrate their personal brand into their professional projects. 

Afterlife her outstanding work in the kitchen, Pepa Muñoz has established herself as a leader in the field of solidarity for her social and altruistic commitment, thanks to her collaboration with World Central Kitchen Spain. This non-profit organisation is dedicated to supplying food in emergency situations, such as natural disasters and conflicts. With more than four years of experience in this noble cause, Pepa Muñoz has proven to be one of the most tireless professionals, actively participating in the delivery of thousands of meals every day. In recent months, she has played a key role in assisting those affected by the DANA storm, mobilising resources and collaborating in the preparation and distribution of food for those who have suffered from the floods. 

Chef Pepa Muñoz expressed her deep gratitude and emotion on learning of the award: ‘The restaurant business is tough and I recognise the work that goes into it. After more than 40 years in the profession and having set up my own business, together with my partner, Mila Nieto, with all that entails in terms of creating the brand of, without a doubt, a good restaurant, I am particularly excited’. ‘Thank you to MDR for thinking of me,’ she said. 

Chef Muñoz also shared her philosophy for success, summarised in two triads: “Work, work and work” and “want, want and want”. These words reflect her unwavering work ethic and passion for gastronomy. This award, now in its third year, goes to Pepa Muñoz, chef and owner of El Qüenco de Pepa, who has built a career based on respect for the product, sustainability and culinary tradition. Her cuisine, centred on the quality and origin of the ingredients, has become a benchmark in Spanish gastronomy.