João Narigueta, born and raised in Montemor-o-Novo, has always lived in contact with nature and the countryside.

Life in the countryside brought him into contact with organic vegetable and animal production from an early age, triggering his inexhaustible curiosity about the origin of food and ‘know-how’. That's why, ever since he was a child, João has liked to eat well, with quality and a sensitivity to flavours and their characteristics.

Is formed in the visual arts at the Gabriel Pereira Secondary School and in the IEFP Professional Cookery Course in Évora. However, João Narigueta is self-taught by nature and his quality also reflects all the time he devotes to getting to know new cultural realities, techniques or innovative concepts that are the ingredients for his creativity to shape surprising gastronomic experiences.

He gained important experience at the famous L'And Vineyards, in Montemor-o-Novo, as part of the team that won the Michelin Star for this restaurant between 2016 and 2019. From 2020 onwards, he continued on his path, opening a project in Évora with his personal stamp, the Híbrido restaurant, recognised for its menu capable of taking us back in time with the Chef's sophisticated touch. In 2023, he founded another project in partnership with sommelier Miguel Dominguinhos, the Poda Restaurant in Montemor-o-Novo, which in 2024 won the Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand award. Since he began his professional career, he has been present at various gastronomic events and partnerships, in particular the events organised by Herdade da Fonte Santa's Mainova brand.

As a chef, João Narigueta is also true to his principles: he only uses local products; he knows every single item of food he puts on the table, from its origin to its history; he values sustainability through an approach based on zero waste and the gastronomic self-sufficiency of his restaurant. His passion for gastronomic history does not go unnoticed; by studying the past of the ancient recipes that make up our culture, he knows exactly in what detail creativity will amaze the customer.

João Narigueta is already a certainty on the national scene, but his economic activity has made a valuable contribution to strengthening the Alentejo's relationship with its roots through a modernity that is fully aware of the ground he walks on.