Chef Daniel Reis, From Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel, Among the 18 Finalists for Chef of the Year 2026

Source: Sapo

Chef Daniel Reis, from Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel, has been selected as one of the 18 finalists advancing to the regional stages of Chef of the Year 2026—one of Portugal’s most established national culinary competitions.

This year’s edition marks the 37th edition of the competition. It drew more than 200 applications from professionals across the country, making Reis’ selection a major milestone—and a clear sign that his cooking is resonating well beyond his own kitchen.

In the next phase, finalists are challenged to present a complete, four-course menu built around Portuguese ingredients and culinary roots, reimagined with a contemporary lens: a vegetarian starter, a cod (bacalhau) fish course, a meat course, and a dessert featuring Pera Rocha.

Chef Daniel Reis will compete in the Center regional heat on April 14, hosted at the Escola de Hotelaria e Turismo do Oeste, in Caldas da Rainha. All regional rounds will be evaluated by a jury chaired by Chef António Bóia.

From there, the road leads to a grand final in May (date to be announced), alongside the Fórum Pensar Cozinha, which brings together leading voices in Portuguese gastronomy for conversations, interviews, and live demonstrations—making this not just a competition moment, but a broader spotlight on what’s next for Portuguese cuisine.