Portimão, September 1st 2026 - JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs proudly welcomes Portugal as the newest member country of its international gastronomic association.
Portugal joins JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs: A New Culinary Destination
The country joins JRE with DUOO Gastro Theatre in Portimão as its founding member restaurant. Led by chefs Catarina Monteiro and Leandro Silva, DUOO brings together Portuguese ingredients, international influences and a highly personal dining experience shaped around just 12 seats and an open kitchen.
“Portugal brings a strong culinary identity, exceptional products and an exciting new generation of chefs to our community. DUOO reflects that energy through creativity, personality and a deep connection to both its guests and its surroundings.”
Portugal: A Cuisine Shaped by Ocean and Land
Portugal’s cuisine is deeply connected to its landscape. Along the Atlantic coast, fish and seafood take centre stage, from grilled sardines and octopus to the many preparations of bacalhau. Inland, regional traditions bring together quality meats, vegetables, cheeses and olive oil, with each part of the country contributing its own flavours and specialties.
This respect for ingredients and seasonality is complemented by a celebrated winemaking tradition and a new generation of chefs bringing contemporary perspectives to Portuguese gastronomy. The result is a culinary landscape where heritage remains strong while creativity continues to push it forward..
DUOO Gastro Theatre: Twelve Seats, Full View
Located in the historic centre of Portimão, DUOO Gastro Theatre offers an intimate experience built around just 12 seats and a completely open kitchen. Guests sit directly in front of Catarina and Leandro, watching as each course is prepared, finished and presented.
The cuisine starts with Portuguese and Algarve produce, while drawing on influences from Portugal, Spain, Brazil and Latin America. Seasonal fish, seafood and vegetables are combined with technique, acidity, spice and texture in menus that evolve according to what is available at the market.
The restaurant’s name reflects its identity: DUOO represents Catarina and Leandro as partners in life and work, while Gastro Theatre captures the direct interaction between kitchen and guest.
“DUOO is a stage for modern, creative, elegant and fun cuisine, led by two chefs in life and in the kitchen.”
About JRE-Chefs Catarina Monteiro & Leandro Silva
Lisbon-born Catarina Monteiro combines culinary experience with a background in visual and performing arts, bringing a strong sense of composition, hospitality and detail to DUOO.
Brazilian-born Leandro Silva began cooking alongside his mother before building his career in Portugal and Spain, including advanced training at the Basque Culinary Center. His cooking brings together technique, market produce and memories of Brazil.
Together, their different backgrounds shape a restaurant that feels firmly connected to Portimão and the Algarve while remaining open to influences from beyond Portugal.
“Cooking is authorship: creativity and technique in service of memory, place and the people at the table.”
With Portugal joining the association, JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs welcomes another distinctive culinary destination to its growing international community. From its strong connection to the Atlantic and rich regional traditions to a new generation of chefs bringing fresh perspectives to Portuguese cuisine, the country has much to contribute to the JRE network.
JRE looks forward to the continued growth of JRE-Portugal and to fostering culinary excellence, creativity and cultural exchange while introducing more of Portugal’s evolving gastronomic landscape to the wider JRE community.
