Encanto

Diogo Formiga

Head Chef

Holds a degree in Biology and a master’s degree in Marine Biology from the University of Aveiro. Curious and studious by nature, Diogo dedicates much of his time to researching ingredients, growers, producers, and sustainable practices. He continuously strives to optimize the use of each ingredient and reduce waste. In 2025, he was distinguished by The Best Chef Awards with one Knife, an international prize that recognizes the world’s best chefs.

Inês Jones

Head Waitress and Sommelier


Favorite vegetable: Carrot


At Encanto since day one — where she discovered a new passion: wine. She studied Hotel Management, but it was at Encanto that she found the time and magic to tell stories — of the dishes, the wines, the producers, and all the passion behind each detail. Outside the restaurant, she swaps the decanter and dining service for the beach, her dog Lucky, and CrossFit competitions.

Hugo Aurélio

Sous-Chef

Favorite vegetable: Mushroom

Trained in culinary arts, Hugo spends his days between surprising starters and unforgettable desserts — making sure the cold station is anything but cold. At Encanto, he discovered the pleasure (and the challenge) of cooking without animal protein, giving center stage to vegetables and seasonality. In his free time, he goes out for dinner with his girlfriend on a serious mission: to discover new flavors.

João Santos

Chef de Partie

Favorite vegetable: Asparagus

He studied design but ended up in gastronomy — because his love for cooking (especially savory dishes!) spoke louder. Passionate about constantly creating new dishes, he lives between seasonal flavors and presentations worthy of magazine covers. His designer’s eye certainly helps. Outside the kitchen, he continues to study… cooking. And when he’s not cooking, he’s eating — preferably at a great restaurant or somewhere around the world.

João Frechaut

Chef de Partie

Favorite vegetable: Mushroom

From Alto do Seixalinho to Vila Nova de Santo André, João Pedro's journey eventually led him to the kitchen. With a postgraduate qualification in Creative Gastronomy, he's just as passionate about mastering technique as he is about experimenting with new recipes and ideas. At Encanto, that's exactly what he does: cooking, creating and challenging himself every day. Outside the kitchen, he enjoys spending time at the beach or playing sports before returning to what he loves most: cooking.

Miguel Gonçalves

Cook (2nd grade)

Favorite vegetable: Portuguese cabbage

He started in Biomedical Sciences but quickly traded test tubes for pots and pans — in truth, he always wanted to be a chef, maybe because he grew up in a family where everyone cooked (and cooked well!). Now at Encanto, he lives for creativity and the daily challenge of finding new ways to combine flavors among vegetables. Outside the kitchen, he finds inspiration in music, the forest, and the sea.

Niraj Marharjan

Cook (2nd grade)

Favorite vegetable: Okra

From Nepal straight to the heart of Encanto, where he works his magic at the cold station. A graduate of the Lisbon School of Hospitality and Tourism, he brings technique, dedication, and… a great sense of humor. What excites him most day-to-day? Team spirit. And outside the kitchen, he swaps his apron for rock music and peaceful moments. A true balance of energy and serenity.

Carolina Duro

Cook (3rd grade)

Favorite vegetable: Snow pea

Carolina started her career playing with words before swapping advertising copy for the kitchen. With a degree in Communication Sciences and a specialization in Creative Advertising, she worked as a copywriter before pursuing another passion: cooking. At Encanto, what inspires her most is working closely with producers and using exceptional seasonal ingredients every day. In her free time, she's always looking for answers to the "why" behind cooking techniques, whether through experimenting in the kitchen, devouring books, or enjoying a great live concert with friends.

Afonso Rodrigues

Assistant Head Waiter

Favorite vegetable: Broccoli

Born in Barreiro and trained in Hospitality and Wine, Afonso has been working in this fascinating world for three years. In his free time, he plays the guitar, plans master moves in chess, and deepens his wine knowledge. A sommelier and host with a refined palate… and a sharp strategy.

Catarina Pinto

Waitress

Favorite vegetable: Okra

Born in Bahia and raised in Portugal, Catarina discovered her passion for hospitality at an early age. She started working in her mother's restaurant when she was just 14, and it was there that she realised welcoming people was what she loved most. Today, as the hostess at Encanto, she enjoys sharing this unique experience with every guest who walks through the door. Outside the restaurant, you'll find her reading, spending time with friends, enjoying long walks or days at the beach, and studying art curation. And if okra is on the menu, even better.

Mohammad Hossain

Host

Favorite vegetable: Pumpkin

Originally from Bangladesh and always with a smile, he brings over 9 years of experience in hospitality, including time at luxury restaurants in Qatar. What he loves most is customer interaction — that’s where he truly feels at home. At Encanto, he discovered a new world: it’s his first fine dining vegetarian restaurant… and the impact was so profound that he’s slowly becoming a vegetarian himself. In his free time, he explores his own culinary talents — now increasingly focused on vegetables!

Diogo Jordão

Sommelier


Favorite vegetable: Beetroot

Born in Lisbon and a sommelier by passion, Diogo discovered the world of wine early on — directly influenced by his father and many tastings, trips, and shared glasses. Today, he dreams of taking Portuguese wines across borders, as a true ambassador. At Encanto, he embraces the challenge of creating pairings in a vegetarian restaurant, where each wine match is a small discovery. At home, when friends come over, his wife cooks and he serves the wine — with full explanation, of course. His personal wine collection has already over 100 labels.

Isaac Cardoso

Bartender

Favorite vegetable: Bell pepper

Born and raised in Alfama, a neighborhood where tradition, Fado and winding streets are part of everyday life, Isaac found his calling in hospitality from an early stage. After almost a decade working front of house and several years behind the bar, he discovered the perfect place to express his creativity. At Encanto, he loves showing guests that vegetables can take center stage in a glass just as easily as they do on a plate. When he's not at work, he's busy developing new alcohol-free pairings and cocktails, exploring fresh techniques and ideas to prove that unforgettable experiences can also be served in liquid form.

Kalash Kharel

Kitchen porter

Favorite vegetable: Pumpkin

Always happy to help with whatever is needed, he’s been at Encanto since the restaurant first opened its doors. Originally from Nepal, he studied management in his home country, and, outside the restaurant, he swaps pans for keyboards: he’s a journalist and writes news in Nepali on his own website.

Suman Khanal

Kitchen porter

Favorite vegetable: Potato

Born in Nepal, he studied English and works as a kitchen porter at Encanto. He enjoys getting involved in the kitchen and, outside of work, he’s a full-time family «chef» — a devoted father to two children: Success and Shaarwin.