Born in Valencia, Begoña Rodrigo is a self taught chef whose journey into the culinary world was anything but conventional. She studied Industrial Engineering, but at the age of 20 she travelled to Amsterdam in search of new experiences. Her culinary career began in 1995 at the Amsterdam Marriott Hotel, under the guidance of Nick Reade. For eight years, she worked in the Netherlands while travelling around the world, discovering new flavours and broadening her culinary perspective. 

In 2003, she moved to London, where she worked at Aquarium. Two years later, she returned to her hometown and, after spending a few months at the Michelin starred restaurant La Sucursal, opened her first restaurant, LA SALITA, in November 2005. Through her work at LA SALITA, Begoña has become an influential voice in conversations about the social role of gastronomy today, particularly its relationship with sustainability and our environment. 

Today, the 19th century mansion that is home to LA SALITA also brings together several of Begoña’s other projects: Cooktl, Valencia’s most vibrant cocktail bar; El Invernadero, a sustainable, climate controlled outdoor space set on the terrace; and Cookroom, a private space designed for dining, meetings and corporate events. A place where gastronomy, creativity, sustainability and Valencia come together.