Cocina Conciencia (loosely translated as ‘kitchen conscience’), a programme sponsored by Fundación Raíces, aims to shape the lives of young people and adults at risk of social exclusion by giving them an opportunity to change the course of their lives. The programme began when Lhoussaine Fighoun, a young man from Morocco, joined the team at Mugaritz.

The idea for the project was the result of a story by journalist Cristina Jolonch on young immigrants who came to Spain with no resources or protection. While working in Donostia, Cristina met Lhoussaine, who was having a tough spell living on the streets. Jolonch suggested finding a place for him at Mugaritz. Soon after that, Lhoussaine signed a contract and began to make a career for himself in the world of gastronomy. That was the first step in a programme that would later be adopted by other restaurants.

The second person who came to Mugaritz through Cocina Conciencia was Almamy Haidara, a young Malian who was soon promoted to head of production in our kitchen.