The herbalist to the stars

The knowledge of wild vegetables and their traditional uses has led Juan Carlos Roldán from Jaén to advise local, national and foreign chefs. Juan Carlos Roldán has ensured that the Otíñar mountain range, a breathtaking expanse of forests, cliffs and limestone cliffs 15 kilometers from the city of Jaén, means innovation and discovery for chefs who make their province a gastronomic destination. Pedro Sánchez (Bagá), brings to the Michelin galaxy the vegetables that Roldán cultivates in the mountain garden that his father bequeathed him. Calls and visits from other chefs followed: Andoni Luis Aduriz, Ricard Camarena, Javier Ollero, Edorta Lamo, Luis Lera, Nacho Manzano, Dani Carnero, Ángel León, Francis Paniego, Edu Pérez, Miguel Carretero, Oliver Peña, Lluis Bernils and Manu Lachica. This man with a heart as big as his wingspan, who earns his living as a civil servant at the University of Jaén and presents the credentials of "collector and basket maker"He is recognized as a repository of a rare knowledge in these times, and is called upon by cooks, botanists and pharmacists from all over Spain for consultations and doubts, talks and congresses. His friends from Jaén affectionately call him "our Panorámix".