Nieves grew up in Bilbao in Spain’s Basque region, learning from an early age about the regions produce and cuisine. In 1998 Nieves came to London and began work at Simply Nico. In 2003 she joined Sam and Eddie Hart as sous chef ahead at Fino. In 2007 Nieves became the group’s executive chef ahead of the launch of the first Barrafina restaurant on London’s Frith Street. As executive chef for both Fino and Barrafina for ten years, Nieves oversaw the launch of two further Barrafina restaurants (Covent Garden and Adelaide Street) and in 2014 was awarded a Michelin Star for Barrafina Frith Street. In February 2018 Nieves opened her own restaurant, Sabor on Heddon Street in London, with Jose Etura and in October 2018 the restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star, just eight months after opening. The restaurant takes diners on a journey around Spain from the tapas bars of Andalucia through to the asadors of Castile and the seafood restaurants of Galicia.
