The Castanheiro Boutique Hotel is preparing for the third edition of "À Mesa no Castanheiro – Chef Maurício Gonçalves convida…." This year, it will take place on July 26th, once again at the Tipografia restaurant. Alexandre Silva is the guest chef of resident chef Maurício Gonçalves.
The result of this collaborative effort is a four-handed dinner that seeks to celebrate Madeira's gastronomic identity. To achieve this, the guest chef is guided through an experience in Madeira, visiting local producers and the market, to learn about the products with which he can work.
À Mesa no Castanheiro, Chef Maurício Gonçalves convida… is a project that seeks to bring renowned national chefs to Funchal. Launched in 2023, it celebrates haute cuisine in the heart of Funchal. In 2023, the chefs André Cruz, awarded a Michelin star; Ana Magalhães, who brought authenticity and innovation; and Miguel Laffan, known for his modern approach to traditional Portuguese flavors, participated.
In 2024, the event gained even more prominence with the special appearance of chef Ljubomir Stanisic, who brought a fusion of unlikely flavors and creative techniques.
A native of Madeira Island, Chef Maurício Gonçalves has a 20-year career, with training and experience at some of the region's most prestigious institutions, such as the Madeira School of Hotel Management and Tourism. He has worked in the kitchens of several Quintas within the Charming Hotels Madeira group, where he developed his own culinary style, marked by quality and respect for the island's natural products.
Music was Alexandre Silva's goal for many years, having grown up dreaming of becoming a saxophonist. That was until his first encounter with the world of restaurants. His first internship, at the Hotel Lisboa Plaza, awakened him to the adrenaline, intensity, and "synchronization" of teamwork, and exerted a fascination that has captivated him to this day. It certainly has to do with one of Alexandre's defining characteristics: "a restlessness," the need to always be trying new things to motivate himself, and a natural dynamism and energy that he channels into his personal and professional life. Alexandre's kitchens are fertile ground for creativity and little monotony, and so he constantly strives to step outside his comfort zone and he wants his guests to do the same.
Reservations for this intimate dinner can now be made directly at the Castanheiro Boutique Hotel.
