Mikel Iturriaga: From Philology to Culinary Projects and Television. Mikel Iturriaga from Bilbao has become one of Spain’s most renowned culinary journalists. His career spans television, the press, and personal projects. A key role was also played by a family connection to a famous athlete.
In Spain, the name Mikel Iturriaga has long been associated with a modern approach to gastronomy and media. Born in Bilbao on December 12, 1967, he made the journey from philologist to one of the country's most recognizable culinary journalists. His professional biography includes work with leading publications, his own projects, and notable television appearances.
Iturriaga's education began with philology at the University of Deusto, after which he moved to Madrid to earn a master's degree in journalism. He later chose Barcelona to deepen his knowledge of gastronomy at the prestigious Escuela de Hostelería Hofmann. This diverse background allowed him to combine linguistic culture, journalism, and culinary art.
In his professional career, Mikel Iturriaga has collaborated with publications such as El País de las Tentaciones, Loquesea.com, Ya.com, La Vanguardia, Rolling Stone, and Marie Claire. He served as an editor at ADN newspaper and created the Ondakín blog, which received the Canal Cocina award for best culinary blog. However, his real breakthrough came with the launch of El Comidista on the El País platform, which quickly became one of the country's most popular culinary resources.
Iturriaga's television career also developed dynamically: he appeared on Canal+ and Telemadrid, hosted his own show on La Sexta, and was a guest expert on Liarla Pardo. In addition, he became the host of Banana Split on La 2 de TVE and is actively growing his presence on YouTube. Beyond this, Mikel has published several books featuring his own recipes and culinary advice.
Mikel Iturriaga's personal life remains out of the public eye: it is only known that he has been married to his husband for a long time. On social media, the journalist prefers to share professional updates and recipes, without disclosing details about his family. It is important to note that Mikel is the younger brother of the famous basketball player and TV host Juan López Iturriaga, with an age difference of eight years between them. Both have achieved success in different fields, maintaining their independence and public recognition.
In the context of the Spanish university environment, it is worth recalling the contributions of other notable figures. For example, in Andalusia, the role of José Carlos Gómez Villamandos in the development of universities was recently remembered. Such stories show how individual efforts shape modern cultural and educational trends in the country.
By 2026, Mikel Iturriaga remains one of the most influential figures in Spanish gastronomic journalism. His projects continue to draw a wide audience, and the combination of his background in philology and passion for culinary arts sets him apart among his peers. In Spain, interest in author-driven culinary media and educational initiatives continues to grow, underlining the demand for figures like Iturriaga.
