ElBulli to close

ROSES, SPAIN—Ferran Adrià, regarded as the owner of the world’s best place to dine, elBulli, has decided to close the restaurant permanently, after just one more season.

Last month, Adrià said would be taking a hiatus from elBulli starting in 2012 to explore new gastronomy trends and to do some teaching in the United States, before re-opening in 2014.

Instead, 2010 will bring to an end the restaurant that critics have called the finest dining experience on the planet. It has earned several Michelin starts since 1983 when Adria joined the staff.

Adrià will open a center for advanced culinary experimentation, something he and his staff have done for years during the off-season. elBulli is only open six months of the year.

In an interview with the New York Times, Adrià said the restaurant loses about $500,000 Euros a year.

“At that level of contribution, I think we would rather see the money go to something larger that expands the concept and spirit of what elBulli represents,” he told the Times.

Adrià will create a premier chef’s academy, accepting students with years of training and experience in restaurant kitchens around the world.

ElBulli will shut its doors for good this December, disappointing many on the thousands of names long wait list.