While waiting for its ceremony to reveal the world's 50 best restaurants - scheduled this year for June 5 in Las Vegas - the World's 50 Best Restaurants is beginning to distill its special awards.
To discover
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First of them, that of the best female chef of the year.
After the Mexican Elena Reygadas (Rosetta, Mexico) in 2023 and the Colombian Leonor Espinosa (Leo, Bogota) in 2022, it is once again a South American who is distinguished: the Brazilian Janaína Torres, chef and co-owner of the restaurant A Casa do Porco, in São Paulo.
This restaurant was already ranked 12th in the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2023 list, the first Brazilian restaurant and fourth in Latin America (behind Central, in Lima, winner, Maido in Lima and Quintonil in Mexico).
At Casa do Porco Mauro Hollanda
Enough to make it a reference in the economic capital of Brazil, also recognized with a Bib Michelin.
With its tagged facade, the restaurant, which means “The House of the Pig” in Portuguese, is located in an area where tourists are advised not to linger.
Inside, the atmosphere is relaxed, far from that of French Michelin stars.
No tablecloths, hanging green plants, a large open kitchen and pictures of pigs on the walls.
It must be said that the animal, in the tasting menu where each dish pays homage to a Latin American country as on the menu, is the star of the establishment which prides itself on cooking it in its entirety in an anti-waste approach. .
Arepa with guanciale tartare, homemade chimichurri sausage, foot and ear ceviche whipped with leche de tigre, butt assado and morcilla sauce... Before the centerpiece of the house, the Porco San Zé, a whole local beast that cooks slowly from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., which can be seen from certain tables when the cooks turn it over.
Served with vegetables from the restaurant's garden, it is ultra-crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
The training is fun (in a big pink plastic pig's head) and the experience is out of the ordinary (even if far, in our opinion, from deserving such a ranking).
Porco San Zé Mauro Holanda
Already named best female chef in Latin America last year, Janaína Torres, who is also a sommelier, is chef and co-owner, with Jefferson Rueda, not only of A Casa do Porco, but also of Bar da Dona Onça, the hot kiosk -dogs Hot Pork, the Merenda da Cidade sandwich shop and the Sorveteria do Centro ice cream parlor.
A figure in the local culinary scene, she is also involved in social projects, notably in collaboration with the government of São Paulo, to train cooks in schools in order to improve the diet of 1.8 million children.
During the pandemic, she managed to mobilize thousands of Brazilian chefs and hospitality workers to lobby the government for vital financial aid for the sector.
“I am delighted to have been named The World's Best Female Chef 2024 and to join the incredible list of those who have been recognized before me. I hope to inspire the next generation of female chefs and continue building a legacy for Brazilian gastronomy, alongside my community. For me, this award represents a fantastic platform for raising awareness of education through and for food, which I consider essential for a more just future in my country and around the world.”
commented the chef.