Melissa López

Melissa López is the chef-partner at Barra Santos in Cypress Park, Los Angeles, a Portuguese restaurant opened by Last Word Hospitality in 2023. Coverage from Food & Wine describes her menu as blending Portuguese flavors with Californian ingredients while also drawing on her Mexican heritage. Earlier reporting identified her as formerly of Barbuto and Bestia, and Last Word Hospitality says she grew up in Nogales, Arizona.