Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Art and Gastronomy in Portimão

Chef João Marreiros, from the famous restaurant Loki in Portimão, presented a 5-course meal in the Sphinx Art Gallery alongside its founder, Lauren Torres. More than just a traditional gallery, Sphinx has an eclectic and colourful display of vibrant art that celebrates diversity and inclusion, and highlights some talented, underrepresented artists.

Chef João Marreiros is a local from Monchique whose mission is to use local produce in different ways. Lunch began with an interesting and unique blend of flavours. Grey mullet preserved in rice husks with miso was served alongside pickled leaves and a mallow-flavoured crumble added texture.

Two fish courses followed, both were individual and delicious. Firstly, 10-day aged red snapper which, following the Asian theme, had been marinated in prawn garam to a depth and richness of flavour. This was followed by salted hake with a tasty, crispy skin, accompanied by peas and wild boar chorizo.

The meat course was chicken in a rich jus accompanied by a cardoon purée and sautéed asparagus.

A delightful and original dessert - a passion fruit parfait, orange cream topped with carob and walnuts with no added sugar - finished off this wonderfully creative meal.

Chef Marreiros chose local wines to accompany the courses - a crisp white wine featuring Portugal’s oldest grape variety, Crato Branco, from a tiny vineyard near Carvoeiro; a fruity Paxa Reserva red from near Silves, and an organic orange wine from Lagos.

This was a unique experience. Sampling some uniquely prepared local products in a visually pleasing environment with the usual excellent conversation and company made for a very special lunch.

The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, as an International Association of Gastronomy established in over 75 countries, always welcomes new enthusiastic members, amateurs and professionals, who share the same values of quality, fine dining, conviviality, the encouragement of the culinary arts and the pleasures of the table. If you would like to know more about the Chaîne, don’t hesitate to contact us by e-mail: ma@monchique.com or visit www.chainedesrotisseurs.com

By Dr. Jane Mott