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

Menu brunch

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Guacamole com nachos

Mini pataniscas de legumes

Pica pau de frango

Ovos mexidos com farinheira

Rolinhos de salmão fumado com queijo creme e lima

Folhadinhos de linguiça

Pasta de azeitona com coentros

Camarão salteado em manteiga de alho

Requeijão com frutos secos e doce à escolha

DESSERT

Choose 3 dishes

Mini quadradinhos de bolo de limão com ganache de chocolate

Mousse de manga

Folhadinhos de cheese Cake com frutos silvestres

Mousse de Oreo

Maçã bêbada com crumble

Bolinhos de noz com creme de leite condensado cozido

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

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

Naco de 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

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

Bolo de cenoura com chocolate vegan - opção vegan

Delicious Portuguese Flavours

STARTER

All inclusive

Fresh season goat cheese

Roasted Portuguese chorizos

Olives and fire oven bread

Scrambled eggs with "farinheira" Portuguese typical dish

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Codfish à brás Portuguese typical dish

"bifanas " typical pork steak in small bread with special Portuguese sauce with fries

Carne de porco à alentejana (pork with clams) served with fries

Slow cooked “Alcatra” ( beef ) with smooth Cauliflower puree

Chicken piri piri with roasted potatoes and greens

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

“Arroz doce” - Typical portuguese sweet rice

Baba de camelo (sweet condensed milk mousse)

Banana crumble flambéed with port wine

Chefs pie - Cocoa wafers with chocolate mousse and whipped cream

Chef s Deconstructed pastel de nata ( egg cream tart)

Delicious Portuguese Colours and Flavours ***

STARTER

All inclusive

Roasted Portuguese chorizos

Fresh season goat cheese

Padron peppers

Bread and toasts

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Braised sardine fillet on a bed of tomato and onion in cornbread crumbleBraised sardine fillet on a bed of tomato and onion in cornbread crumble

Portuguese typical fish soup and herbs

"Pataniscas" - typical portuguese fried codfish cake with garlic mayonnaise

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Bacalhau à Brás (typical portuguese cod fish)

Carne de porco à alentejana (pork with clams) served with fries

Slow cooked “Alcatra” ( beef ) with smooth Cauliflower puree

Chicken piri piri with roasted potatoes and greens

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chef s Deconstructed pastel de nata ( egg cream tart)

Chef s pie - Cocoa wafers with chocolate mousse and whipped cream

Chef`s thousand leaf with strawberries and mascarpone cream

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

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

Sea bream with orange and sautéed vegetables

Algarve squids with baked potato with parsley and garlic

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 Deconstructed pastel de nata ( egg cream tart)

Almond Blossom Menu ****

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Goat cheese bundle with diced apple with walnuts and honey

Filo pastry with “farinheira” and pineapples

Delicatessen puff pastry pizza

Arugula salad with sauteed mushrooms with Parmesan flakes

Puff pastry with Camembert cheese and oregano

Julienne vegetables sautéed in puff pastry - Vegan option

Portobello stuffed with bell peppers and tomatoes and zucchini with soy cream - Vegan option

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Zucchini boat with fresh vegetables and coriander sauce - Vegan option

Salmon with fresh pasta

Squids stew with tomatoes, potatoes and fresh vegetables

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Vegetables sautéed in white wine with pasta penne - vegan option

Codfish Italian way

Black spaghetti with fish and seafood

Monkfish rice

Veal and bacon rolls stuffed with cheese and mushroom sauce accompanied with roasted sweet potatoes

Chicken breast with Camembert in puff pastry accompanied by mashed spinach and roasted potato

Pork loin medallions with applesauce and roasted potatoes

Chicken curry with smashed potato

Pork loin strips with peppers and mango sauce accompanied by saffron rice from India

Lentils stewed with tofu - Vegan option

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Banana crumble flambéed with port wine, vanilla ice cream and pink pepper

Delicatessen thousand-leaves with whipped cream and apple sauce

Delicatessen pie - Cocoa wafers with chocolate mousse and whipped cream

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

Fresh fruit salad - Vegan option

Vegan sweet rice - Vegan option

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

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Risotto de Portobello

Spaghetti con calamari - Esparguete com lulas

Peposo - Guisado especial de carne de vaca picante

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

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

Bolonhesa de bochecha de vaca

Beringela frita com mozzarella

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

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

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

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

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Chef Frederico's reviews

4.61

•

350 services

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.

Absolutely amazing