I never dreamed I would be where I am today, nor overcome what I have overcome. I made it here because I have a dedicated, passionate and enthusiastic team that stands out because of its drive to keep learning more and doing better.
José Avillez
the story
Portuguese and a chef, José Avillez’ focus is to promote Portuguese gastronomy and contribute to making Portugal a top gastronomic destination. He’s considered a reference in Portuguese gastronomy and has stood out because of his enterprising spirit and drive to go further.
His immense curiosity, love for travelling and a constant drive to experiment and learn have contributed a great deal to his creativity and evolution, though the great source of inspiration is Portuguese cuisine. He defines himself as a chef who’s passionate about cuisine and about his country and who embraces innovation and creativity without ever forgetting tradition, quality, authenticity and the worth of work.
José Avillez grew up near the ocean and a pine forest in Cascais, and this had a profound influence on his work. He studied Business Communication in college, had private study lessons with the key author on traditional Portuguese gastronomy, Maria de Lourdes Modesto, and did many professional internships in several different restaurants in Portugal and abroad, such as El Bulli by Ferran Adrià who transformed his concept of cuisine.
In 2008 he took on the role of executive chef of the emblematic restaurant Tavares, in Lisbon, the place where, in 2009, he’d come to win his first Michelin star. In 2011 he decided to open his own restaurants and today has several in Portugal, in Lisbon and Porto, and also in Dubai and Macau, each with a different concept, but all expressing his passion for cuisine.
In 2023, with his wife, Sofia Ulrich, he opened CASA NOSSA - THE LAKE FARMHOUSE, a unique estate in Campinho, Alentejo, on Alqueva's lake bank, with stunning views, absolute privacy and the comforts and amenities of a five-star hotel.
José Avillez has an enthusiastic team who helps him manage his restaurants and develop his projects, including the TV shows, books, signature wines, and most recently, CASA NOSSA - THE LAKE FARMHOUSE.
Today, what is it that excites and drives him?
“Creating momentum and mobilizing my country, promoting Portuguese gastronomy, working with my amazing team, and cooking and caring for my customers. But also, and always, the moments of creativity, because it’s when I feel the most pleasure and emotion in my life. Then there’s the emotional commitment, the chance to give… that’s what we do in cuisine! Life is a journey and the important thing is to give and leave more than we take.”
the restaurants
− At BELCANTO (Lisbon - Chiado), distinguished with two Michelin stars and considered one of the world’s 50 best restaurants by the prestigious “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants”, José Avillez offers contemporary Portuguese cuisine in a sophisticated atmosphere that evokes the old romantic feel of Chiado. This is the style that truly defines him and expresses his creative evolution. Opened in January 2012.
− ENCANTO (Lisbon – Chiado) was accoladed with a Michelin Star in 2022, the year it opened. It’s an enchanted place of haute cuisine where vegetables are celebrated as starts. Legumes, leaves, seeds, algae, mushrooms, flowers, fruits, eggs, and cheeses are delicately prepared and served. Here, we celebrate the work of small or local Portuguese farmers and cede the spotlight to seasonal products. Opened in March 2022.
− MARÉ (Lisbon – Guincho, Cascais) has a relaxed atmosphere, ocean-inspired décor, and a privileged location. This restaurant is integrated into Guincho’s natural landscape, in complete touch with nature and stands as the perfect setting to enjoy a cuisine based on the unique flavour and freshness of Portuguese fish and seafood. Opened in May 2023.
− PÁTEO (Lisbon - Chiado) where seafood and fish are king, at the ample and surprising BAIRRO DO AVILLEZ, a neighbourhood that gathers different, complementary gastronomic concepts inspired by the best Portuguese flavours signed by chef José Avillez. Opened in August 2016.
− TABERNA (Lisbon - Chiado) is Lisbon’s most atypical tavern and offers good Portuguese flavours with a touch of creativity in a very laid-back atmosphere. Open every day, noon to midnight, at BAIRRO DO AVILLEZ. Opened in August 2016.
− MINI BAR (Lisbon - Chiado) is José Avillez’ gourmet bar that offers a new entertainment concept and small, varied and flavourful gastronomic experiences, along with wonder and fun. This is not a traditional restaurant. Here, nothing is what it seems. Opened in September 2014 in Teatro São Luiz and in 2020 moved to BAIRRO DO AVILLEZ.
− CANTINHO DO AVILLEZ (Lisbon - Chiado and Parque das Nações | Cascais | Porto) offers a good Portuguese-inspired cuisine influenced by the chef’s travels in a very comfortable atmosphere. In Chiado it opened in September 2011; in Porto it opened in September 2014; in Parque das Nações it opened in May 2018; in Cascais it opened in May 2019.
− PIZZARIA LISBOA (Lisbon - Chiado) is an old dream come true. José Avillez dreamed of opening a pizzeria ever since he was a young boy... Maybe because he was fascinated by the way pizza has travelled the world, maybe because he loves the fun, family-friendly atmosphere of pizzerias, or maybe because he loves a new challenge. Or, quite probably, for all these reasons. Opened in March 2013 and moved to Bairro do Avillez in 2020.
INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
− TASCA, distinguished with one Michelin star, at the hotel Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai, is chef José Avillez’ first international restaurant project. Tasca offers a menu of Portuguese flavours with a contemporary twist in a vibrant atmosphere. Opened in March 2019.
− MESA is located on the Karl Lagerfeld Macau, at the "Grand Lisboa Palace" Resort in Macau, and it's José Avillez' first restaurant in the Far East. It features the best contemporary Portuguese cuisine with some local products and flavours.
OTHER PROJECTS
CASA NOSSA - THE LAKE FARMHOUSE
Together with his wife, Sofia Ulrich, he opened CASA NOSSA - THE LAKE FARMHOUSE, a unique estate in Campinho, Alentejo, on Alqueva's lake bank, with stunning views, absolute privacy and the comforts and amenities of a five-star hotel. Designed to offer a memorable stay in absolute privacy, CASA NOSSA - THE LAKE FARMHOUSE is always rented as a single property, house and estate, with full board and the service of a dedicated team. The cuisine is Portuguese in essence and signed by chef José Avillez.
WINES
Together with José Bento dos Santos at the Quinta do Monte D’Oiro vineyard, in Lisbon, produced the JA wines with his signature: JA Red, produced entirely from Syrah grapes, JA White, made from the grape varieties Viognier and Arinto, and JA Rosé.
BOOKS
José Avillez has contributed to countless Portuguese and foreign books and authored “Um Chef em Sua Casa” (“A Chef in Your Home”), “Petiscar com Estilo” (“Snacking in Style”), “Cantinho do Avillez – As Receitas” (“Cantinho do Avillez – The Recipes”) and “Combinações Improváveis” (“Improbabilicious”).
TELEVISION
JA AO LUME “JA at the Stove” (06/12 – 01/14) aired for three seasons on SIC Mulher channel. In a relaxed and light-hearted manner, chef José Avillez taught us how to be creative in the kitchen every day.
COMBINAÇÕES imPROVÁVEIS “Improbabilicious” (11/14 – 02/16) on SIC Mulher channel, was a weekly cooking show in which José Avillez combined flavours, textures and temperatures, suggesting a probable combination, an improbable combination and a recipe for the younger viewers −all from a single star ingredient.
FAMILY FOOD FIGHT (12/18 – 03/19), was a juror in the competitive cooking series, airing on RTP 1, in prime time, in which diverse and multi-generational families went head-to-head in high-pressure cooking challenges inspired by real home cooking.
MESTRE DO SABOR “Master of Flavour” – Season 1 (2019), was a juror on the Brazilian gastronomy TV show, produced and aired by Rede Globo. José Avillez and the chefs Leo Paixão and Kátia Barbosa mentored and assessed 24 candidates, all of whom were professional chefs from different regions of Brazil.
MESTRE DO SABOR “Master of Flavour” – Season 2 (2020), this time partially (until May 2020), he was once again a juror on Globo’s TV hit competition on gastronomy.
RADIO
O CHEF SOU EU “I’m The Chef” (2014) – José Avillez shared tips, quick recipes, and suggestions on this recurring segment on Radio Comercial.
O CHEF SOU EU “I’m The Chef” (2020) – After 2014’s success, José Avillez returned to Radio Comercial with the same segment, suggesting recipes and challenging listeners to DIY them.