A British chef who has spent more than two decades mastering French cuisine is bringing his skills to southern Spain, where he is building a new life and business with his young family.

Joseph Warner, 40, has an unusual approach to professional cooking. Deaf and wearing hearing aids, he has learned to rely heavily on his eyes, nose and palate to do his job in some of the busiest kitchens in France. His story has something in common with that of deaf Strictly star Tasha Ghouri, who has also spoken about navigating professional life with hearing loss.

Now living in Santa Fe, near Granada, Joseph is putting those skills to work through his own private chef business, The Sensory Chef private chef service, serving clients in holiday villas and private homes across the Costa Tropical, Nerja, the Axarquia and Málaga.

His journey into professional cooking began at 18, after moving from Britain to the south of France as a teenager. Over the following 23 years, he gained French chef qualifications, including the CAP and BP, and worked in several professional kitchens. His experience included the Hôtel du Commerce before he progressed to become head chef at Les Feuillantines.

Learning to see what others might miss

For Joseph, being deaf has meant developing a different relationship with the kitchen. “A kitchen is a very visual place,” he explains. “I see everything. Taste, smell, colour, texture. That is where the name The Sensory Chef comes from.”

Rather than allowing his hearing impairment to define what he could achieve, he developed ways of working that made the most of his other senses and his ability to observe what was happening around him.

Spain also has legislation covering employment rights and accessibility for deaf people, including measures designed to help people with hearing disabilities work on equal terms.

After 23 years in France, Joseph has now started another chapter. He moved to Spain with his wife and young son and registered as self-employed in 2025, launching The Sensory Chef.

His new business brings restaurant-quality cooking directly to people’s homes and holiday accommodation, taking away the work and worry of organising a special meal.

“I do the shopping, cook, serve at the table and leave the kitchen clean,” he says. “The family just enjoys the evening together.”

A taste of France in southern Spain

Joseph’s menus draw on his French culinary background while embracing the flavours and ingredients of his new home.

Guests can choose French bistro favourites, Provençal-inspired dishes, outdoor paella and tapas evenings. He also offers private cooking classes in villas, teaching everything from Spanish tortilla to French pastry. His approach brings another option to the region’s food and dining scene in Axarquia.

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free requirements can all be accommodated without an additional charge. With Christmas approaching, he is also offering traditional festive dinners, giving British families spending the holidays in Spain the chance to enjoy a familiar Christmas meal without spending hours preparing it themselves.

For Joseph, however, the business is about more than simply putting food on the table. “Being deaf has never stopped me cooking,” he says. “Starting a business in a new country is not easy, but I love this region, the markets and the produce. Cooking for people in their own home, around their own table, is the best part of my job.”

With menus starting at €70 per guest, The Sensory Chef offers a personal alternative to eating out, particularly for families and larger holiday groups. More details about his private dining experiences in Granada are available online.

For Joseph, it is also an opportunity to bring together everything he has learned over 22 years and make a new home for his family in Andalucia.

More information, menus and bookings are available at thesensorychef.es.

Queen, Beatles, flamenco and heavy metal headline Costa Tropical’s November cultural programme.

Almuñecar is getting ready for a busy fortnight of entertainment, with a varied November cultural programme bringing live music, dance, classical performances and some familiar tribute acts to the Costa Tropical.

Music, film and music in Almuñecar

From heavy metal and flamenco to the music of Queen and The Beatles, the programme offers plenty of choice for residents and visitors looking for something to do as the autumn season continues. The latest events follow the town’s Almuñecar jazz festival and its Jazz en Otoño autumn music programme.

One of the first events takes place on Friday, November 13, when the Casa de la Cultura hosts Un concierto de película at 8pm. Combining music, cinema and charity, the concert features the Motril choir Son de Caña and supports humanitarian work through the ACOES Honduras foundation.

Metal fans will have a very different experience the following afternoon. The second Sexitanian Falling Metal festival arrives at Parque El Majuelo on Saturday, November 14, from 5pm. Five bands from across Spain are scheduled to perform: Fallen At Dawn, Inyourface, Bourbon Kings, Inxight and El Santo. Further information and tickets for Sexitanian Falling Metal II are available from the organisers.

Saturday evening brings a change of pace, with contemporary dance production ILOCUO taking to the stage at the Casa de la Cultura at 8pm. Classical music lovers can return on Sunday, November 15, when Cuarteto Arriaga performs at 7pm.

From Flamenco to Afro-Cuban rhythms

The programme continues on Thursday, November 19, with Noches de Tango, followed by Sireré Flamenco on Friday, November 20. The latter combines traditional flamenco with Afro-Cuban rhythms in a production featuring dancer Laura García.

One of the most anticipated performances could be The Gospel of Queen, arriving on Saturday, November 21, at 8pm. The production combines the legendary British rock band’s music with gospel singing, featuring Bohemians and Gospel Sounds Granada.

Sunday, November 22, brings two more musical events. The Almuñecar Municipal Band celebrates Santa Cecilia, patron saint of musicians, with a concert at 1pm. Admission is free, subject to available capacity.

Beatles fans can then enjoy an evening with tribute act The Silver Beats, performing at 7pm at the Casa de la Cultura.

Music is not the only attraction in the wider November programme. Almuñecar is also hosting literary activities, historical talks, storytelling sessions for children and cultural exhibitions.

With events catering for very different musical tastes, the town is offering residents and visitors plenty of reasons to enjoy its cultural calendar beyond the summer months. The town’s official Almuñecar events calendar provides further information about local activities.