Who created Basque cheesecake?

Santiago Rivera created Basque cheesecake. He developed the now-famous cake in 1988 at La Viña, his pintxo bar in San Sebastián, in Spain’s Basque Country.

The dessert is a crustless cheesecake baked at high temperature. That intense heat gives the top its deeply browned, caramelized appearance while leaving the centre soft, creamy and custard-like. The contrast between the dark surface and pale interior is central to the style’s modern identity.

The name can cause confusion because “Basque cheesecake” is an international label, while in Spain it is often called tarta de queso de La Viña or San Sebastián–style cheesecake. The “burnt” description is also more common outside the Basque Country than locally. Rivera’s version became internationally popular through online sharing during the 2010s and was especially prominent on social media by 2021.

Other Basque chefs and restaurants have created influential cheesecakes, including Zuberoa’s version, but those should not be mistaken for the specific La Viña cheesecake credited to Rivera.