The Portuguese chef David Jesus is one of our spotlights you need to keep an eye on. Born in Setúbal, David Jesus has become well-known as a creative chef with new and innovative approaches in the culinary world. At just 28 years old, he already shaped the food scene in Portugal with his own restaurant and projects. Let’s have a closer look to our latest spotlight from Setúbal.
His journey and the opening of his first own restaurant
Young, dynamic and creative, David Jesus has worked in some of the world’s most renowned kitchens such as Feitoria, Fortaleza do Guincho, Quique Dacosta, DiverXO and Frantzen. These restaurants have been featured in the Michelin Guide and listed among the 50 best restaurants in the world. In combination with his love for nature and food, these experiences shaped David Jesus into the innovative chef he is today.
It is not surprising that his passion for the art of cooking is visible in everything he does. If you have seen some of his videos serving food on social media, you know what we mean. With his love for every detail and ingredient, he is able to create connections with people who enjoy his food creations.
Photos from Instagram @davidfjesus
Finally in 2021, David Jesus realized one of his dreams when he opened his own restaurant Seiva in Leça da Palmeira. According to him, “Seiva is part of the journey, not the starting point or the finish line, but a driving force of expression and connection.” This restaurant embodies his vision of cooking as a way to connect people and create lasting memories.
Nem Carne nem Peixe and his willingness to experiment
Following his success with Seiva, David Jesus took the risk and started his next project: “Nem Carne nem Peixe” in 2023. He opened the restaurant close to the center of Porto, where he served modern interpretations of traditional dishes without using fish or meat. Although the restaurant is now led under new management without David Jesus’ participation in the project, it showcased his willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of conventional cuisine.
Photos from Instagram @davidfjesus
By the way, we are extremely grateful as we had the chance to try this restaurant at the beginning of 2024. While we were enjoying this culinary experience during Valentine’s day, we even met David Jesus in person. Muito obrigado for an unfortgettable night with delicious food and one of the best services we ever experienced.
Apart from his restaurants, David’s talent and hard work have not gone unnoticed. In 2023, he was named the Emerging Chef of the year by the prestigious Chef de Bancada panel. His participation in events like “Chefs on Fire” and collaborations with renowned chefs like Alexandre Silva further increased his reputation.
Meet the chef at Seiva: Enjoying his creations in Leça da Palmeira
As David Jesus is still at young age, we are excited about the next steps of the promising chef. With his passion and creativity for food, David Jesus will continue to leave his mark in the culinary scene. Finally, if you want to enjoy some of his creations, you need to visit his restaurant Seiva. The restaurant is located directly at the sea and not far from the city of Porto in Leça da Palmeira. We promise you, it’s more than worth a visit!
