He is one of the most renowned chefs in the world. Along with his brothers Jordi Roca and Josep Roca, he runs the restaurant with 3 Michelin stars, El Celler de Can Roca, in Girona. The restaurant of the Roca brothers has been chosen the best restaurant in the world in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2013 and 2015. The Spanish Royal Academy of Gastronomy awarded him with the prize to the Best chef of the year 2000.

In 2010, the University of Girona granted him the Honorary Doctorate Degree for his work along with his two brothers as ambassadors of their home region Girona, as well as for his constant efforts, the loyalty to his origins and his international exposure. At the beginning of 2016, United Nations appointed the Roca brothers Goodwill Ambassadors. Joan Roca has currently become a benchmark in molecular cuisine.