The culinary heart of Restaurante Gamberro (Zaragoza)—a benchmark for creative haute cuisine in Aragon, boasting a Repsol Sun and a Michelin Guide recommendation—is making the leap to the big screen. Its chef, the young Franchesko Vera, serves as the gastronomic consultant for *Perseidas*, the debut feature film by Aragonese director Ignacio Lasierra, which features a stellar cast. The film tells the moving story of a renowned chef who embarks on a unique, life-changing journey. All the dishes in the movie were created by Vera, who worked hand-in-hand with the creative team. Filming begins this week.
Audiences and critics alike already know that Franchesko Vera, the chef at Restaurante Gamberro, creates cinematic cuisine. Now, however, that phrase takes on a literal meaning. Franchesko Vera is the gastronomic consultant for *Perseidas*, a film currently entering production that promises to be the Aragonese movie of the year. It is an emotional story in which flavors and recipes pave the way for reconciliation, identity, and love. The film marks the big-screen debut of director Ignacio Lasierra and stars Natalia Huarte, winner of the 2024 Max Award for Best Actress.
Filming begins this week and will take place at various locations across Aragon and Uruguay. The story follows Cata (Natalia Huarte), a prestigious chef who returns to her Aragonese hometown to confront her past and heal old wounds. The dishes featured in the film benefit from the expertise of Franchesko Vera, who has rehearsed with Natalia Huarte, devised the recipes found in the script, and will be present during filming to oversee the entire process. His goal is to ensure the dishes and recipes reflect the standards of an award-winning chef while also showcasing the culinary traditions of Aragon.
For Franchesko Vera, “It is a true pleasure and privilege to participate in a film. Cinema is something that has been with us since early childhood—a unique vehicle for imagination and culture—and the opportunity to handle the gastronomic consulting is simply wonderful. Furthermore, knowing that *Perseidas* is such an Aragonese film aligns perfectly with our philosophy of championing the region and acting as ambassadors for the many great—yet often little-known—qualities of our land.”
A film that embodies the spirit of Aragon and follows in the footsteps of its finest cinema
Produced by Aurora Lago, Inés Laporta, Luis Ángel Ramírez, and Virginia Hinze (Uruguay), *Perseidas* invites viewers on a journey through the lesser-known rural Aragon, highlighting the grandeur of its landscapes and the courage and resilience of its inhabitants.
The film arrives at a particularly flourishing moment for Aragonese fiction. Movies such as Javier Macipe’s *La estrella azul* (2024) and Pilar Palomero’s *Las niñas* (2020) have demonstrated the powerful bond between Aragonese cinema and the audience. These two films, created by directors born in the 1980s, have become the voice of a generation eager to make its mark. *Perseidas*—directed by Ignacio Lasierra, who also belongs to that generation—aims to follow the path blazed by filmmakers like Palomero and Macipe, revealing a new talent within Aragonese cinema. *Perseidas* is a film that, thanks to its sensitivity and performances, will win over audiences and continue the social, cultural, and economic success story currently being enjoyed by Aragonese cinema.
About Gamberro
Restaurante Gamberro (holder of one Repsol Sun and a Michelin Guide recommendation) is a restaurant in Zaragoza with a distinctive personality. After an eleven-year upward trajectory, it has become a benchmark for top-tier creative cuisine—not only in Aragon but across Spain. Restaurante Gamberro is the personal project of Franchesko Vera (chef) and Flor García (front-of-house)—a perfect partnership, both professionally and personally. Together, they have turned their downtown Zaragoza restaurant into a destination for lovers of fine dining. Their secret? A highly personal approach to cooking, embodied in a single 17-course tasting menu (80 euros) featuring dishes that frequently rotate to honor the seasons. Their cuisine is built around the product, technique, and concept. Working with his team, Vera applies these principles in a contemporary way without ever losing sight of the ingredients’ origins. It is all delivered with a unique voice—one that shows a fondness for Aragonese recipes and pantry staples, a taste for fusion with Asian and Latin American influences, great elegance, and a touch of humor.
