Barrafina hires Patricia Roig to lead international expansion

Barrafina has appointed Patricia Roig as international executive chef, a newly created role designed to oversee the culinary direction of the group’s international expansion as the business grows beyond the UK.

The appointment comes at a significant moment for the modern Spanish restaurant group, which opened its first international site in Dubai earlier this year, describing the launch as the beginning of Barrafina’s journey across the GCC.

For Barrafina, it is a move that signals clear intent. Patricia arrives with more than 20 years of experience across Europe, the UK, Latin America and the Middle East, and takes on the role after building a strong reputation for produce-led, sustainability-minded cooking.

Her CV includes time at Newman Street Tavern, Lima London, ROKA London and Michelin-starred restaurants Abantal and Lillas Pastia in Spain, giving her a broad background across both Spanish and international kitchens.

Most recently, Patricia served as executive chef at BOCA in Dubai, where she helped strengthen the restaurant’s standing as one of the most respected sustainability-led operations in the region. Michelin has highlighted BOCA as a green star recipient, while the restaurant was ranked No. 41 in MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list.

That experience looks particularly relevant for Barrafina as it seeks to carry its identity into new markets without losing the qualities that made it such a key name in London’s restaurant scene. The group said Patricia would lead the culinary direction of future international openings, bringing her expertise in ingredient-led Spanish gastronomy to a wider global stage.

Anna Watkins, managing director of Barrafina Group, said Patricia’s cooking was defined by “precision, integrity and a deep respect for ingredients,” adding that those qualities strongly reflected the spirit of Barrafina.

Patricia said joining the business was a privilege and described Barrafina as holding “a very special place in the story of Spanish food in the world.”

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A new chapter in a strong culinary lineage

The appointment also adds another notable chef to Barrafina’s wider story.

Before going on to establish Sabor and later Legado as two of London’s most acclaimed Spanish restaurants, Nieves Barragán Mohacho was a central figure in Barrafina’s rise.

Nieves became the group’s executive chef in 2007 ahead of the launch of the original Barrafina on Frith Street, remained in the role for 10 years, oversaw further openings, and helped Barrafina earn a Michelin star in 2014. Michelin has also described her as having been a key part of the brand’s success for a decade.

Barrafina has long been associated with chefs capable of combining restraint, technical precision and a confident understanding of Spanish regional cooking, with Patricia’s appointment looking to drive home those principles throughout the international expansion.