Martina Cacheiro
Nestling in the idyllic Migjorn area, Hotel Casbah has become a gourmet haven that offers diners a culinary experience with its own distinctive character, where food combines elements of tradition and modernity. Galician chef Martina Cacheiro runs the kitchen and has spent the last ten years transforming this small, enchanting hotel into a benchmark of contemporary Mediterranean food on the island.
Martina Cacheiro began her career in the food world in Galicia when she was just 16 years old. She advanced through various positions in the kitchen, at one time working in the desserts and dining room sections, but admits that she found the latter a real challenge because of her shyness. Her career was turned on its head when, after working in Galicia for three years, she moved to Formentera and a cooking teacher encouraged her to finish her training.
A combination of fate and determination gave Cacheiro the chance to do her internship in a Michelin-starred restaurant. She began running the kitchen at Hotel Casbah ten years ago, when she was just 23. Since then, Cacheiro has built a solid reputation based on traditional cooking with a modern twist that always puts a special focus on local products.
Cacheiro’s food is notable for its simplicity and respect for original flavours. “We’re better at defining ourselves each year. This year I feel more sure of myself and my food than ever. I guess I’m growing up,” Cacheiro says. Her style is characterised by a focus on local products from Formentera, including fresh fish and squid, combined with modern techniques such as slow cooking.
Cacheiro describes her food as “traditional, simple, and feminine.” She uses spices and spiciness with a light touch, just enough to emphasise the natural flavours of the ingredients. Her bases, stews, and broths reveal Galician influences while the culinary inheritance of Formentera is increasingly present in her dishes. This commitment to authenticity and quality has been essential to the evolution of her food.
This season, the restaurant at Hotel Casbah offers diners an approximately two-hour tasting menu with seven, meticulously prepared courses. The menu reflects Cacheiro’s culinary philosophy: a journey for the senses that emphasises the freshness and quality of local products.
A dynamic partnership with Rubén Sánchez: the perfect duo
Cacheiro isn’t alone on this journey. Rubén Sánchez, her partner and head waiter at the restaurant, has made an essential contribution to the evolution of Casbah. Born in La Coruña, Sánchez studied cocktail-making and bar management at the Basque Culinary Center before moving to Formentera. His experience in famous restaurants such as A Estación de Cambre and Vinoteca Jaleo, plus time at Enigma, by Albert Adrià, shaped his outlook and service skills.
Sánchez underscores the importance of loyalty and being humble in everyday life. “Loyalty and humility are what matter most to me. If we’re famous for one thing, it’s working hard and doing things well. That’s all we do, we don’t watch what our neighbour is doing, and we don’t do a lot of publicity,” he explains. His collaboration with Cacheiro has been crucial to the restaurant’s success and together they form a harmonious and effective team.
An idyllic setting
Hotel Casbah is in the heart of Formentera and is a haven of tranquillity set amid beautiful nature. Surrounded by a flourishing pine forest, and just 250 m from Migjorn Beach, the hotel has a revitalizing atmosphere and a deep connection with nature.
Casbah restaurant recreates a typically Mediterranean setting, with pine trees and savin juniper, and diners enjoy a private, relaxed atmosphere. This natural setting complements a gourmet experience that is characterised by its freshness and sense of joy, combining local products with modern techniques, with nods to Cacheiro’s Galician cooking.
Hotel Casbah is a wonderful refuge in Formentera and a gourmet destination that reflects the evolution and maturity of chef Cacheiro. Serving a tasting menu that celebrates local products and with a philosophy based on tradition and simplicity, Cacheiro has succeeded in establishing herself as a leading light on the island's food scene. Alongside Sánchez, she has created a space of excellence where her love of food and wine creates an unforgettable experience.
