Festival “Heróis do Mar” showcases fish gastronomy

Restaurants, Portuguese and international chefs, banquets, cooking classes, and concerts are part of the program. In Lisbon, a premiere featuring a lineup of top names: Moreno Cedroni, Quique Dacosta, Rafael Costa e Silva, José Avillez, Kiko Martins, Vítor Sobral, Marlene Vieira, Justa Nobre, among others.

The “Heróis do Mar” (“Heroes of the Sea”) festival is a unique celebration in Portugal dedicated to lovers of the sea, fish, and seafood gastronomy. Making its absolute debut, it will bring together more than 20 renowned national and international chefs, offering a diverse selection from over 10 restaurants and food boxes.

It will also feature live cooking classes, demonstrations, discussions, banquets, kitchen parties, VIP areas, and concerts celebrating Lusophony. From October 3 to 6, Doca da Marinha in Lisbon will be the setting for a unique fusion of the sea and fish, flavour and music, sustainability and entertainment.

“Heroes of the Sea presents an innovative concept that we will create and realize, with a language and a set of distinct experiences that can – and should – be shared with family or friends. We do not want to draw a line between land and sea. We want a sea that unites us, that brings together those who appreciate the good things in life, from gastronomy to music, from wines to learning how to make and appreciate them. Heroes of the Sea also aims to be a brand that helps the city, contributes to the affirmation of restaurants and chefs, and underscores the country as a tourist destination for its gastronomic aspect as well,” emphasizes Nuno Guedes Vaz Pires, director of Essência Company, the company responsible for producing the event.

“Lisbon will gain a new annual event, in a privileged location and with high-level programming, capable of convincing both the Portuguese and international public. Equally important is the focus on something that deeply marks the Portuguese people – the sea and its resources,” notes Bernardo d’Orey Delgado, CEO of Doca da Marinha, the organization.

With a myriad of proposals for seafood gastronomy and continuous service during the event, 10 restaurants present distinct approaches to fish and seafood: As Esquinas de Vítor Sobral (Portuguese roots in culinary mastery); Epur by Vincent Farges (Michelin star in Lisbon with the precision of the renowned French chef); Justa Nobre (the authenticity of national flavour); Kanazawa (Japanese cut and sewing, Michelin star, by Paulo Morais); Kiko Martins (from ceviches to Atlantic and Asian flavours); Marlene Vieira (reconnecting with Portuguese products by knowledgeable hands); Real Marisqueira Nunes (classic table of good seafood in Lisbon); Maré (restaurant of José Avillez, in Guincho); Pica Pau (traditional Portuguese snacks, Lisbon); and Vítor Adão (Plano restaurant, Lisbon).

Among the confirmed international chefs are already Moreno Cedroni, Quique Dacosta, and Rafael Costa e Silva.

Cedroni has 40 years of career and multiple culinary awards. The Italian opened the restaurant La Madonnina del Pescatore, two Michelin stars, in the Marche region in 1984, and since then has elevated seafood cuisine to a level of creativity and high luxury. Since 1999, he has delighted sushi lovers with Clandestino Sushibar in Portonovo di Ancona. Moreno Cedroni will be the author of one of the banquets of “Heroes of the Sea,” in a mano a mano with the Portuguese André Lança Cordeiro who, after a few years in France, brought a kitchen of flavour and precision to Essencial in Bairro Alto.

Quique Dacosta, whose eponymous restaurant in Dénia, Spain, boasts three Michelin stars (the maximum rating) and ranks 14th on the prestigious list “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024,” will co-author other banquets of “Heroes of the Sea,” alongside his Portuguese friend José Avillez, who has two stars at the Lisbon restaurant Belcanto and another at Encanto.

Rafael Costa e Silva continues to make Lasai one of the best restaurants in Rio de Janeiro… and the world. The Brazilian chef is returning to Lisbon to showcase all the calm creativity that marks his professional path currently achieved in Botafogo but initiated at the famous Mugaritz in the Basque Country. Rafa was recently named “Man of the Year in Gastronomy” in Brazil.

The live cooking presentations will feature chefs André Cruz (Feitoria, Lisbon, Michelin star), António Galapito (Prado, Lisbon), Gil Fernandes (Fortaleza do Guincho, Cascais, Michelin star), and João Sá (Sala, Lisbon, Michelin star). The cooking classes, where all participants are challenged to get hands-on, will be led by chef Cristina Manso Prato.

There will also be discussions with experts in the areas of gastronomy and management of marine resources, many of which will focus on issues such as ocean sustainability. Tasting sessions, a market for products, and daily concerts will complete the program, which will be detailed very soon.

To accompany, the Wines of Lisbon. The region is currently one of the most exciting at the national level, with a notable diversity of grape varieties, profiles, and styles that are highlighted by the nine Denominations of Origin that make up the Demarcated Region. An Arinto from Bucelas or a Malsavia from Colares? A fortified from Carcavelos or a Spirit from Lourinhã? There will always be a wine worthy of the gastronomy of “Heroes of the Sea,” as the region of Wines of Lisbon is greatly influenced by the Atlantic, which brings saltiness, nerve, and additional tension.

“Heróis do Mar,” an event debuting in Lisbon, is organized by Doca da Marinha with production by Essência Company, supported by Turismo de Portugal and the Lisbon Tourism Association, with Wines of Lisbon as the main sponsor.

HOURS

• October 3 and 4 / 17:00 – 24:00
• October 5 / 12:00 – 24:00
• October 6 / 12:00 – 22:00

TICKETS

• Regular Ticket, €5 (includes 1 complimentary Riedel glass + 1 tasting of a Wine of Lisbon + 1 Castello Water + 1 Luso Water); grants access to the venue and concerts.
• Tastings at the restaurants range from €5 to €20.
• Banquets range from €150 to €250.

PARKING

• It is recommended to use the Cruise Terminal Park. The event organization has established a partnership with Telpark, which ensures access to parking at a reduced rate of €5.90/24H, upon pre-reservation to be made in the Telpark app.

Always confirm with the concert hall or promoter the conditions of access, confirmation of the date or time, ticket place of sale, price, and availability.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, and TikTok and see the exclusive content for social networks.