◆ When Congresso de Cozinha began in 2005, what conversation did you feel the Portuguese food industry desperately needed to have?

There needed to be a platform for sharing. That may not be visible today to those who weren’t part of that time. There was a real sense of energy and excitement that kept renewing itself, and Congresso de Cozinha remained the great stage for the industry, a place where professionals can make their first appearance, and a place for growth through discussion and sharing.

◆ If you had to describe Congresso de Cozinha in just three words, what would they be?

A space where a kitchen grows: humanism, knowledge, health.

◆ You've watched Portuguese gastronomy transform enormously over the past two decades. What has changed for the better and what still hasn't changed enough?

It has been a long journey, and my opinion is influenced by the last few years. After a peak of national and international recognition – a declaration of love for Portuguese cuisine – the number of tourists continued to grow. The supply increased dramatically. There were suddenly many more restaurants. The profile of the tourist also changed. Restaurant occupancy declined. And we are living with this duality.

Those with many customers are also struggling. There is a lack of knowledge and direct action to help structure the sector. There is a lack of training overall, and a lack of clarity about the value of the sector so that appropriate action can follow.

◆ Gender equality is one of the causes that Congresso has been advocating for, going back to a time when these conversations were much less present in the industry – and chef Marlene Vieira has been an integral part of that. Looking back, how much has really changed for women working in Portuguese kitchens?

Marlene Vieira told me, more than once, that there weren’t enough women taking the stage at the Congresso. I’m grateful to her for that. At the time, I wasn’t really aware of the issue. The pressures we faced, with the ups and downs of the economy, made it seem that, for a company like ours, survival and simply moving forward had to come first. Until, eventually, this and other issues found their rightful place. And after all these years, we strive to foster different kinds of balance – social, technical, but above all, human.

What I mean is that Congresso, and everything we do, should be a place for everyone: a place that promotes knowledge, gender balance, diversity, inclusion across generations, sustainability, the well-being of the community, and relationships with artists, among many other things. Ensuring the company’s survival through the ups and downs of the economy is one of the central themes for us today.