Chef Rui Paula

Rui Paula was born in Porto, to a family that had its roots in the Trás-os-Montes region of Portugal. It was these roots that awakened his taste for cooking.  Inspired by his grandmother's fire and peculiarities, he discovered his talent for cooking with her. Determined to make cooking his job, he went to other countries, learned other cuisines and got to know new products and worked with the best Michelin-starred chefs and restaurants. In 16 years, he absorbed everything he could and, together with his creative sense, he then expanded to his own restaurant.

With 3 restaurants (Restaurant DOC, Douro; Restaurant DOP, Porto; and the Casa de Chá da Boa Nova, Leça da Palmeira), he won his Michelin star at the Casa de Chá da Boa Nova restaurant, his restaurant in Leça da Palmeira is in a Siza Vieira-designed building beside the sea.

Chef Rui Paula's dishes highlight the memory of his origins, preserving flavours, textures, aromas and colours, in surprising recreations, full of originality. He is considered a key reference of modern cuisine and the simplicity, originality and sense of humour of the dishes are traits that underline his personality.