Today on our episode #426 of All in the Industry, we take you to Portugal! Shari Bayer's first guest is Vasco Coelho Santos of Euskalduna Group in Porto, Portugal, one of Portugal’s most respected and forward-looking chefs. Vasco’s professional journey began in Lisbon, & includes time in Spain where he worked in some of the world’s most influential kitchens, including Mugaritz, Arzak, & legendary El Bulli, as well as London & Singapore; all experiences that helped shape his technical rigor, sense of discipline, & creative freedom. Returning to Porto in 2016, Vasco opened Euskalduna Studio, a chef’s counter omakase with Portuguese flavors & worldly inspiration, which earned its first Michelin star in 2022. In less than a decade, Vasco's Groupo Euskalduna has built a portfolio that also includes Seixo in the Douro Valley, Kaigi, Peixaria by Euskalduna, Ogi by Euskalduna, & a space under his own name at Porto’s Time Out Market. Among his accolades, Vasco has received 2 Knives at The Best Chef Awards in 2024 & 2025.(7:39) Shari's second guest is José Avillez, Portuguese & a chef dedicated to promoting Portuguese gastronomy & contributing to establishing Portugal as a top gastronomic destination. José, who is widely regarded as a luminary in Portuguese gastronomy, has earned acclaim for his entrepreneurial spirit & unwavering drive to push boundaries. He has several restaurants in Portugal in Lisbon, Porto & Cascais, as well as Dubai & Macau, including 2 Michelin star Belcanto, currently #42 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants; & Encanto, which has 1 Michelin star & 1 green star, both in Lisbon; plus, Mare, Bairro do Avilez, Taberna, Pateo, Mini Bar, Pizzeria Lisboa, Caninho do Avilez, 1 Michelin star Tasca, & Mesa. In 2023, alongside his wife, Sofia Ulrich, José unveiled Casa Nossa — The Lake Farmhouse, an extraordinary estate located in Alentejo, nestled along the shores of the Alqueva, offering both comfort & complete privacy with breathtaking views. José is also a renowned author, host, & judge on television & radio programs. (32:45) Thank you so much, Vasco & José! Loved our conversations and spending together in beautiful Portugal! Today's show also features Shari's PR tip to gain a variety of experience; & Solo Dining experience at Sunny's, an acclaimed & inviting steakhouse in Miami, FL with a fabulous setting and great vibes. (1:14:15). Find all of our new & archived shows at AllintheIndustry.com. Listen at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts; subscribe & leave us a rating/review. Follow us @allindustry & @sharibayer on Instagram, & "All in the Industry" on Facebook & our YouTube Channel. Interested in collaborating with us? Please reach out via our contact page at AllintheIndustry.com, or on social. We'd love to hear from you! Check out Shari's book, Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World (Phaidon), available wherever books are sold. #chefwisebook Thanks, as always, for being a part of All in the Industry®!
