Tagged: Chefs

April 22, 2015

Chef Luisa Fernandes Featured Chef, at Women Chefs and Restauranteurs 2015 NYC Conference

Congratulations to Chef Luisa Fernandes, Executive chef at Robert restaurant, Museum of Modern Art, NYC. She was one of featured women chefs preparing a multi-course dinner which featured the best of the best culinary talent in NY!

Chef Luisa prepared Portuguese “Bacalhau Crudité with Olive Oil, Vinegar, and Breaded Olives with Cilantro” (Bacalhau cru com azeite vinagre e azeitonas panadas e coentros, at WCR’s 22nd annual Women Who Inspire awards Gala and dinner in NYC.

Gail Simmons, Top Chef, and Carla Hall, The Chew were the hosts at the dinner.

The WCR, Women Chefs and Restauranteurs: Creating a community of women in all walks of the food and beverage industry.

Photos Credit: Chef Luisa Fernandes

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November 11, 2013

Portuguese Chefs at 2013 International Gourmet Festival

Lusitanian Michelin Stars

The Portuguese Wave

International Gourmet Festival 2013 – Vila Joya, Algarve, Portugal Nov 7-16

“It wasn’t so long ago that Portugal only had one Michelin-starred restaurant outside of the Algarve, but today there are three 1-star restaurants in northern Portugal, two in the Lisbon region and one on the island of Madeira. And for the third year running, they all got together at Vila Joya last night to show just how far Portugal has come when it comes to great food.” source credit: (http://www.internationalgourmetfestival.com/index.php)

VILA JOYA is a boutique hotel and restaurant whose nickname “The Jewellery Box” perfectly describes the precious palace of joy on the Atlantic ocean. Within its Moorish and Portuguese architecture and peaceful gardens, it holds all the elements of pleasure for an indulgent retreat: luxury rooms and suites, a rejuvenating spa, heavenly gardens with access to the beach and internationally renowned haute cuisine.

VILA JOYA is a place where “forgetting” becomes a noble act.

LAST NIGHT’S MENU started with two dishes presented at once; a Gillardeau oyster with ponzu and tangerine from Madeira-based chef Benoît Sinthon, and octopus with lemon and potato by George Mendes. Next came cured Scottish salmon with imperial caviar from Algarve chef Henrique Leis. All three dishes were beautifully executed and presented, but flavour-wise, they were outshone by the following course from 2-star chef Hans Neuner of the Ocean at Vila Vita Parc here in the Algarve: Toro tuna rolled around a mousse of aubergine flavoured with miso and lime. It got a firm nod and Japanese bow of approval from the previous night’s chef Murakami who was seated next to me.

We were off to a great start with four superb cold dishes served in perfect sequence. The first hot course came next; red mullet with scallop and what chef Ricardo Costa of Vila Nova de Gaia’s The Yeatman restaurant dubbed as “carpaccio de cozido”, in fact a thin slice of sausage made with the ingredients of a traditional Portuguese cozido stew. The meatiness of the sausage was a good balance for the richly flavoured flesh of the red mullet and the sweetness of the scallop, another winning combination.

By this stage, looking down the menu with five more courses to come before dessert, we knew we were in for something of a gastronomic onslaught. Frenchman Vincent Farges of Fortaleza do Guincho in Cascais followed with more of that fabulous white alba truffle we had experienced the previous night, this time shaved no less generously on a dish of turbot with Jerusalem artichoke and hazelnut. We then went from white truffle to black with a cappuccino of black truffles concealing tender sot l’y laisse (chicken oysters) by Albano Lourenço of Quinta das Lágrimas in Coimbra, and then to Koschina’s venison saddle with smoked duck foie, Leonel Pereira‘s foie gras with onion and cauliflower, and finally a rich and succulent dish of stewed hare from Lisbon’s rising star José Avillez rounding off the savoury courses. Portugal’s northernmost Michelin star Vitor Matos of Casa da Calçada in Amarante had the final say with an immaculate dessert of chocolate and forest fruits served in a mock wine bottle.

Although a menu that may have been a little heavy for some tastes, it was well balanced, and the overall standard was certainly worthy of Vila Joya’s own 2-star Michelin rating. The Portuguese chefs have raised the bar.

Photo and article text source credit: http://www.internationalgourmetfestival.com/news.php?id=53

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May 16, 2013

Portuguese Chefs Dinner NYC June 10 – 2013

Chef Luisa Fernandes- Robert MOD NYC * Chef Rui Corriea-Douro Restaurant Ct * Chef José Meirelles LeMarias NYC* Chef David Santos -Louro Restaurant NYC

MONDAY, JUNE 10 2013

PORTUGUESE CHEFS – Dia de Portugal Dinner

The celebrations of “Dia de Portugal” will once again have a special flavor this year.

Featuring Chef David Santos from Louro, Chef Rui Correia from Douro, Chef Luisa Fernandes from Robert and Chef José Meirelles.

The e event will be an unique opportunity to see these renowned Chefs working together, celebrating their roots and passion for cooking.

They will be preparing an exquisite 5 course dinner based on the theme:

“Portuguese Flavors Around the World”, which will include dishes from Goa, Mozambique, Brazil, and of course, Portugal.

The meal will be paired with wines from Esporão, Kopke, and Quinta do Azevedo.

Beer will be provided by Super Bock, sparkling water by Água das Pedras and codfish (bacalhau) by Riberalves.Event Time: 8:00 PM

Location: Louro Restaurant
142 W 10th Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 206-0606Contact: info@portuguesecircle.com
Presented by Portuguese Circle

The main seating will take place at 8pm, however the “Portuguese Flavors Around the World”menu will be served from 5:30pm until 11pm. Seating is limited and reservations are required.

For additional information visit the website: www.portuguesecircle.com

Uncategorized

July 29, 2011

Portuguese Chefs master culinary skill around the world

Chefs of Portuguese heritage are attracting food lovers from all around the world. The Mediterranean like cuisine is no longer simply known for it’s “Bacalhau” dishes. The chefs master their culinary skill by fusing the influences of traditional flavors with an upscale modern edge to tempt the modern pallet. They achieve their mastery of cuisine through their creativity and heritage which stems back to their forefathers; the great explorers who introduced flavorful spices from the East to Europe in the Fifteen Century. You will find that even the presentations of the classic dishes has evolved into stunning masterpieces of flavorful art served on a plate. Just as the great explorers brought flavor to the world, the chefs have introduced the cuisine of Portugal to the pallets of a new generation of gourmet food lovers.

Although some of these restaurants may not offer authentic Portuguese dining, you will find some elements of traditional spices and flavors incorporated into their menus reflecting a hint of their heritage. There has always been a special connection with food in our culture which will never change because Portuguese chefs cook with love, passion and creativity which most likely began at an early age when they made that special connection to food like so many of us. Some of these great chefs have even been recognized around the world with Michelin Stars and James Beard Awards in recent years. I predict that many more will be awarded in the years to come. Below you’ll find links to award winning chefs and their restaurants.

Michelin Star Chefs:

– George Mendes – Michelin star in NYC

http://aldearestaurant.com/index.php

– Nuno Mendes – Michelin star in London

http://www.whitelinehotels.com/blog/london-nuno-mendes-wins-a-michelin-star-for-viajante/

– Jose Avilez – Michelin star in Lisboa (meanwhile he has already left the Tavares restaurant)

http://www.golisbon.com/blog/2009/11/27/lisbon-restaurant-news-the-chef-of-the-year-and-a-new-michelin-star/

– Serge Vieira – Michelin Star in France

http://www.cuisinenow.com.au/extensions/serge-vieira

– Martinho moniz – Hong Kong

http://www.ionline.pt/conteudo/91989-guia-michelin-2011-atribui-tres-estrelas-tres-restaurantes-hong-kong-e-um-macau

James Beard Award:

Emeril Lagasse’s New Orleans Restaurant wins James Beard Award

http://www.emerils.com/cooking-blog/3349/james-beard-awards-and-gala/

Emeril Laggase to open new Restaurant in PA.

http://www.emerils.com/newsroom/489/emeril-lagasse-to-open-%E2%80%9Cemeril%E2%80%99s-italian-table%E2%80%9D-at-sands-casino-resort-bethlehem/

More great Portuguese chefs:

David Santos – Hotel Griffou

http://www.griffou.com/

http://www.zagat.com/buzz/new-york-city/c/david-santos

Jason Santos – Runner up Hell’s Kitchen Opens New Restaurant in Boston!

http://bostonherald.com/entertainment/food_dining/general/view.bg?articleid=1333554

http://boston.grubstreet.com/2011/05/a_glimpse_at_blue_incs_menu.html

Luisa Fernandes – wins Food Networks “Chopped” episode

http://www.chefluisafernandes.com/Press.html

http://www.thebestchocolatecake.com/history.html

Anthony Goncalves – serves up Brunch at RitzCarlton

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Westchester/Dining/Bellota_at_42/Default.htm

http://www.summitwineandfood.com/chefs/anthony_goncalves.html

Our culture strives for ultimate success in everything we do, so why would we except our chefs to be anything but the some of the best chefs in the world?

So, I hope I’ve inspired you to visit their restaurants in the US and all over the world, buy their cookbooks, watch them on television, or try one of their recipes. If I left any out, I apologize because I know there are so many more creating great food all over the world. In fact, I bet there is a great Portuguese cook right in your hometown, and there’s even one standing right in your own kitchen!

Could you be the next great Portuguese Chef?

Keep cooking…. Tia Maria

2011 Michelin Star Restaurants in Portugal

http://portugalconfidential.com/2010/12/2011-michelin-star-restaurants-in-portugal/#comment-533

Largo do Poço at Hotel Casa da Calçada – Amarante
Chef: Vitor Matos

Arcadas da Capela at Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas – Coimbra
Chef: Albano Lourenço; Consultant: Joachim Koerper

Fortaleza do Guincho at Hotel Forteleza do Guincho, Cascais
Chef: Antoine Westermann

Tavares – Lisbon
Chef: José Avillez

Amadeus – Almancil
Chef: Siegfied Danler-Heinemann

Henrique Leis – Almancil
Chef: Henrique Leis

Ocean Restaurant at Vila Vita Parc – Porches
Chef: Hans Neuner

São Gabriel – Almancil
Chef: Torsten Schulz