Joan Bayén Pérez (Barcelona, 1934), also known as Juanito, was the heart and soul of the Pintoxo bar in the Mercat de la Boqueria for many years. The historical establishment opened in the 1940s, when Bayén’s mother rented a bar in the market.

At the age of 8, Joan Bayén helped his mother at the Quiosc bar, which the regulars ended up calling the Pinotxo after the name of the dog that accompanied the boy and made reference to the film released at the time.

Bayén’s mother was a pioneer in preparing food and over the years she extended the premises and the menu, adding new dishes that have been part of Barcelona’s gastronomy and attracted customers searching for lifelong classics: trinxat, head and hoof, chickpeas and tripe.

Joan Bayén became a local symbol with his classic waiter look, always wearing a waistcoat and a bowtie. Always ready with a smile, he served from the Pinotxo bar and represented the idea of the friendly and welcoming Barcelona.

In 2022, the board of seniors at the Mercat de la Boqueria, which recognises the professional lives and outstanding figures in the world of gastronomy in Barcelona and Catalonia, paid tribute to Joan Bayén and his work at the market over the last 80 years. The market also organised a tribute to him for his 88^th birthday.

The Full Council unanimously approved the proposal in April 2023 to award him the Gold Medal for Civil Merit.