Nieves Barragán Mohacho

Nieves Barragán Mohacho was born in the coastal town of Santurtzi, part of Greater Bilbao, where the colourful sardineras and the importance of ingredients in Spanish food culture shaped her long before she thought of cooking. Guided by her mother, a passionate home cook, she grew up planning meals, exploring markets, and learning to appreciate every cut and ingredient. After finishing school, she studied graphic design in Bilbao and worked in basic kitchens, where she realised just how vital her mother's knowledge had been in creating the flavours she loved.

At 19, she moved to London with no job and no English, securing an interview at Simply Nico in Pimlico through a Spanish sous chef she knew. Starting as a Kitchen Porter, she absorbed the rhythm of a professional kitchen, soon learning enough English and French to move through the sections and eventually becoming Chef de Partie. Her talent led the Harts Group to recruit her as Sous Chef for the opening of Fino in 2003, her first opportunity to cook food from home. Its success led to Barrafina, which earned a Michelin star in 2013, and by 2017 she was overseeing four restaurants and firmly establishing Spanish cuisine in London.

During this time, she forged a close partnership with José Etura, and together they developed the concept for Sabor, which opened in 2017 with the support of JKS. Located on Heddon Street, it quickly became a beloved destination and a place for Nieves to express the flavours that shaped her. As she continued to explore Spain’s regional identity, climate and traditions, she channelled these discoveries into her most ambitious project yet: Legado, opened in late summer 2025 in Shoreditch, a creative playground where her history, research and evolving ideas come together.