Chef Frederico Pessanha

Private Chef in Tondela

Gastronomy is an Art of Flavours and Colours.

Before dedicating myself to create truly pleasurable gastronomic moments, I worked professionally as a Director, Actor, Writer and as a Teacher.

I love the history of food and work with Portuguese typical food recipes and there unique ingredients, so I can share and give the opportunity to try how rich Portuguese food is.

My travel through Food Pleasures started with years of experience in catering services. I also collaborated with some reputed cuisines in Lisbon. From Chiado to Lx Factory I always kept as a mission: Prepare Unforgettable Flavours.

Nowadays I work only as a Private and Personal Chef in Portugal and I fill my free time researching and creating Delicious Tastes

For me, cooking is...

That moment of silence in which guests savour the dish that I have just served

I learned to cook at...

Mother, grandmother, by my own, other Chefs, professional training. Everyday searching and trying new Foods and Tastes.

A cooking secret...

99.9lbs of imagination. 500.33oz creative flavouring. 15 cups of work. 3 cups of sleepless nights. A pinch of experiences. 2 tbsp of heavy laughter.

My menus

Deliciosos Paladares Italianos ****

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Bruschette com vegetais salteados - opção vegan

Bruschette com tomate cherry, mozarella e manjericão

Pappa al pomodoro - Sopa de tomate e pão

Polenta grelhada com funcho

Salada morna de pimentos e tomates assados

Sopa de batata e massa com pancetta e parmesão

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Risotto de Portobello

Spaghetti con calamari - Esparguete com lulas

Tagliatelle com setas, Portobello e pimento italiano salteados em vinho branco - opção vegan

Beringela frita com mozzarella

Gnocchi al pommodoro - Gnocchi com molho de tomate e manjericão - opção vegetariana com ovos

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Peposo - Guisado especial de carne de vaca picante

Espetada tripla de porco – salsicha, bacon e lombo em ramo de alecrim

Almôndegas de risotto recheadas

Bolonhesa de bochecha de vaca

Vitela e presunto com batatinha à Tuscana

Peito de frango à parmigiana com mozzarela fresca, acompanhado com esmagada de batata e espinafres

Frango com polenta

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tiramisù

Cocktail de fruta - opção vegan

Torta di Riso - Tarte de arroz à Florentina

Tarte de ricotta com chocolate

Fofos doces de Veneza

Bolo de polenta e amêndoa

Delicious Portuguese Colours and Flavours ****

STARTER

All inclusive

Pork chorizo and wine chorizo with cherry tomatoes

Seasoned goat cheese

Homebread and mini toasts

Padron peppers - Vegan option

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Fresh sardine filet marinated with tomato and onions in traditional portuguese corn bread

Portuguese typical fish soup with seafood and herbs

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Zucchini boat with fresh vegetables and coriander sauce - Vegan option

Slow cooked pork cheeks with green asparagus and bread mash

Octopus "à lagareiro” - octopus with fried garlic in olive oil, potatoes and sautéed turnip greens

Slow cooked “Alcatra” ( beef loin ) with fresh vegetables and fried corn

Sea bream with orange and sautéed vegetables

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Celebration Naked Cake - Flavours can be chosen by request, please ask for the ingredients list

Fresh fruit salad - Vegan option

“Arroz doce” - Typical portuguese sweet rice

Traditional Dona Amelia sugar cane cake with lemon ice cream

Delicious Mexican Colours and Flavours ***

STARTER

All inclusive

Nachos with tomato sauce and cheese sauce

Guacamole - Vegan option

Breaded padron peppers

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chili

Tacos with chicken and vegetables

Burritos with chicken and red beans

Tacos with vegetables - Vegan option

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Celebration Naked Cake - Flavours can be chosen by request, please ask for the ingredients list

Tres Leches Cake - Three milk cake

Fruit cocktail - Vegan option

Coconut cake with avocato mousse

Menu flor de mirtilo ***

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Champignon au champagne - Cogumelos com champanhe - opção vegan

Creme de espinafre com ovo escalfado

Amêijoas com molho de nata e lúcia lima

Portobello recheado com pimento, tomate, courgette e creme de soja - opção vegan

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Filete de robalo com vegetais salteados e batata doce frita em rodela

Tagliatelli com tomate cherry e tofu - opção vegan

Filet mignon acompanhado de batata assada em nata e espargos verdes

Magret de pato com bolinhos de arroz de jasmim

Risotto de cogumelos com açafrão - opção vegetariana com queijo

Pasta nero com camarão salteado e parmesão

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tiramisù

Mousse de manga

Mousse de chocolate com merengue e puré de groselha

Tartelete de ricotta e chocolate com pêra bêbada

Pastel de nata desconstruindo do chef

Delicious Christmas Menu ****

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Puff pastry with smoked salmon, chives, mayonnaise and capers

Delicatessen thousand leaf with smoked ham ( presunto ) and Serra cheese

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Christmas "Bacalhau" - Codfish with cabbage, potatoes, eggs and olive oil and garlic infusion

Octopus stew

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Turkey breast filled with apple and bacon

"Leitão" delicatessen rice

DESSERT

All inclusive

"Rabanadas" - Typical Portuguese fried bread with eggs, milk, sugar and cinnamon

"Aletria" - Sweet angel hair

“Arroz doce” - Typical portuguese sweet rice

Finger food menu

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Bruschetta cherry tomato with mozzarella and basil

Shrimp paste and clams with mini toasts

Slice tacos of chicken with vegetables and cheese sauce

Goat's cheese and raspberry hash canapé

Wild mushroom and camembert canapé with Porto wine reduction

Pumpkin hash with goat cheese,fresh rosemary and honey on toast

Cucumber canapé with cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and coriander

Puff pastry spiral mini pizzas with bacon and cheese

Vegetables strips with Greek yogurt sauce

DESSERT

All inclusive

Mini Thousand leafs

Mini porto wine cakes with wild fruit reduction

Mini lemon cakes with chocolate ganache

Delicious Portuguese Colours and Flavours ***

STARTER

All inclusive

Pork chorizo and wine chorizo with cherry tomatoes

Seasoned goat cheese

Homebread and mini toasts

Padron peppers - Vegan option

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Zucchini boat with fresh vegetables and coriander sauce - Vegan option

Slow cooked pork cheeks with green asparagus and bread mash

Slow cooked “Alcatra” ( beef loin ) with fresh vegetables and fried corn

Sea bream with orange and sautéed vegetables

"Picanha” ( beef top loin ) with roasted potatoes

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Fresh fruit salad - Vegan option

“Arroz doce” - Typical portuguese sweet rice

Traditional Dona Amelia sugar cane cake with lemon ice cream

Chef s pastel de nata ( egg cream tart)

Menu Flor de Cerejeira ***

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Legumes em juliana enrolados em massa folhada - opção vegan

Disco de massa folhada com salmão, maionese de cebolinho e alcaparras

Camarão frito ao alhinho com malagueta

Caracol de presunto e cogumelos

Folhado de morcela com creme de maçã

Massa brick com legumes e noz - opção vegan

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Barquinha de courgette com legumes frescos e molho de coentros - opção vegan

Legumes salteados em vinho branco com massa penne - opção vegan

Lulinhas à algarvia com batata cozida, salsa e alho

Arroz de conchas e camarão

Filete de robalo com migas de espargos

Lombinho de salmão com salteado de massa, pimentos, tomate cherry e alho francês

Medalhão de lombinho de porco com redução de frutos silvestres acompanhado com grelos e batatinha salteados ao alhinho

Magret de pato com redução de vinho do Porto acompanhado com puré de batata doce e alecrim

Bife da vazia envolto em cacau com malagueta em cama de mel acompanhado de legumes no forno com nata e mostarda

Lascas de vitela com batata delicatessen e saladinha de tomate cherry

Abobrinha recheada com seitan e molho de tomate - opção vegan

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tiramisù

Cocktail de fruta - opção vegan

Ananás flambeado com batida de côco com bola de gelado de baunilha em cama de crumble

Bolo de vinho do porto com ganache de chocolate e gelado de baunilha

Bolo de chocolate recheado de mousse de chocolate com natas batidas e morangos

Bolo de cenoura com chocolate vegan - opção vegan

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Chef Frederico's reviews

4.61

•

356 services

Frederico is absolutely amazing - he prepared the food with great care and attention to detail. All dishes were 10/10 and it was very interesting to learn about the story behind them as well. I definitely recommend Frederico and the Take a Chef experience. :)

Very profissional and kind and clean

Unforgettable experience with Frederico. Every single dish was excellent. Frederico even made a beautiful cheese board with cheese that we had available. Would definately recommend, and we are happy to do this service again with Frederico when the time is right!

Our chef, Frederico Pessanha, was extraordinary. We had a large group with varying levels of culinary adventurousness, and he did a remarkable job adapting each meal so everyone had plenty of options. Frederico explained every dish—its ingredients, its region, and its place in Portuguese culinary tradition—which made the experience both delicious and educational. Every dish was exceptional. We even requested mashed potatoes for Christmas Day—definitely not a traditional Portuguese item—and they were among the best we’ve ever had. The care and thought he put into each menu were evident, and the flavors across every course were beautifully balanced and complementary. Chef Frederico also introduced us to wonderful Portuguese wines we likely would have missed on our own. When we later reflected on our trip to Portugal, he was the unanimous highlight. Through his cooking and storytelling, we felt genuinely connected to the country. We give our highest possible recommendation to Chef Frederico Pessanha.

Frederico was an amazing chef at our house and made a fantastic birthday dinner to our family. I really recommend him!

Foi um prazer contar com o Chef Frederico para o meu jantar de aniversário. Obrigado!

Frederico was absolutely wonderful. He was very easy to work with. We talked when I was home in the states to discuss the menu. He emailed me the final menu. Frederico was open to my suggestions. I decided to change 1 item on the menu 2 days before our dinner and he had no.problem with accommodating this change. He was delightful to talk to while he was cooking. In closing Frederico is the best.

We had the pleasure of having Frederico cook for us during our stay in Lisbon, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From the moment he arrived, Frederico was punctual, professional, and incredibly easy-going. He made everything so effortless, allowing us to relax and enjoy the evening without a worry. The food was outstanding. We started with tapas-style starters served outside, followed by a delicious main course and dessert inside. Every dish was cooked to perfection—flavorful, fresh, and beautifully presented. The portion sizes were generous, and we even had leftovers! It’s clear that Frederico takes great pride in his work and his attention to detail is second to none. I would absolutely recommend Frederico to anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience in the Lisbon area. He truly made our evening extra special. Thank you, Frederico, for such a memorable night!

Frederico delivered a top-notch service for a Private dinner party on a Girls Trip to Lisbon, Portugal. The entire meal was colourful, tasty, well-seasoned and all flavours were complimentary. We wanted a gourmet experience with local flavours and Frederico delivered. I would also like to commend Frederico on his discretion. Our Airbnb did not have a separate dining room, so we were in his kitchen space, but he simply disappeared in his work and we felt comfortable enough to have quite a girly catch up discussion. Frederico is a natural option for your next dinning event!

Federico was so so kind and professional! He was lovely and engaging while also giving our table the space to talk and just enjoy our meal. Presentation and prep was seamless and cleanup perfect. He's very communicative which I appreciated too. Would definitely recommend.

Super expérience, le menu était excellent et le chef très attentionné

Merci à Frederico pour cette magnifique soirée. Grâce à lui et son duo, nous avons passé un super moment. Sa cuisine était exquise, tout était soigné. Merci pour votre gentillesse et votre bienveillance. Je recommande les services de Frederico à 100% !!

Frederico came to our home for the last night of our vacation. He made sure we were able to relax while he prepared the meal, served the dishes at a beautiful pace, and left our airbnb spotless after. He was so knowledgeable about the traditional cuisine he made for us, and was accommodating of the two vegetarians in our group of seven, making them meals just as stunning and delicious as the rest of the group. This was the best meal we had in Lisbon, and we would HIGHLY recommend him to anyone looking to experience the culture of the city in a relaxing home cooked meal.

Frederico put together a great menu considering a complicated list of dietary requirements. He was responsive in the lead up and punctual on the evening. Would recommend!

We had a fantastic experience with our private chef. He was responsive and professional from the outset, making the planning process easy and stress-free. The food was absolutely delicious, made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, and beautifully presented. On the day, he was discreet, polite, and attentive without being intrusive – the perfect balance. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him!

We had the extreme pleasure of hiring Chef Frederico for a private dinner to celebrate my wife's 50th birthday. Chef Frederico was very communicative prior to the event and arrived at the agreed upon time. We have a small kitchen, but Chef worked his magic and created a beautifully delicious meal that wowed my wife and our 13 guests. It was a wonderful evening and I would highly recommend him to any and everyone looking for a private chef for a special occasion.

Frederico was amazing, the food was delicious and he was great with all our allergies and intolerances! Thanks Frederico :)

We had a wonderful time with Frederico. The food was amazing and he was delightful!

Lovely evening. Thanks Frederico

Everything was really good and we enjoyed a tasteful dinner. Chef Frederico is also very professional and nice, willing to make everything according to our taste. I recommend his service.