Hélio Loureiro, Chef, graduated from Escola de Hotelaria e Turismo do Porto.
Gastronome and researcher of the art of cooking, Chef Hélio stands out for his strong literary activity, giving conferences on gastronomy and developing projects in the area of health, nutrition, and ecological balance with more than 20 cookbooks published and a historical novel, tv presenter, chronicler in various publications, jury of several international and national competitions and a master at the University of Coimbra in the Faculty of Arts in Food: Sources, Culture and Society.
Opened the Hotel Quinta do Lago (from the Orient Express chain), and Le Meriden Porto. Hélio was a trainee at the Sheraton Brussels, Sheraton Luxembourg, Les Champs Paris (2 Michelin Stars), Meridien Étoile - Paris, Yamato (Passport to Japan), and Sheraton La Joya - San Diego, among others.
Presenter of the program ”Gostos e Sabores” on RTP for seven years, and “ Nutriciência” with Dr. Patrícia Padrão of University of Porto, a program that was distinguished with an international award in the area of food research, “Food & Nutrition Awards”.
Hélio Loureiro was Executive Chef of the Douro Palace Hotels and Douro Royal Valley, Dunas Douradas Beach Club, Sheraton Porto, Porto Palácio Hotel, and Director of Product Development for Solinca Events and Catering and Sonae Turismo.
After 3 years as Head Chef for Futebol Clube do Porto, he was invited to join the Portuguese Football Team in 1996 where he stayed for 20 years.
In 2003, was elected Chef of the Year by the Portuguese Gastronomic Academy, distinguished by the Portuguese State by Dr. Jorge Sampaio with the degree of Officer of the Order of Merit, received the Honorary Diploma and gold medal from ARHESP, gold medal for sports merit from the Portuguese Football Federation, Honorary Diploma and merit medal from Comissão dos Vinhos Verdes. Hélio was nominated for the Porto Wine Brotherwood forty-three times brother and founder of oenophile and gastronomic confraternities in Portugal and abroad. He also won the “Gourmand Award” with the book “Eating à la Porto”.
Hélio was honored by his hometown Porto with the Honor and Merit Medal, a distinction he added to the Knight of the Royal Order of Our Lady of Vila Viçosa, awarded by His Royal Highness Dom Duarte de Bragança, Head of the Portuguese Royal House, who had already distinguished him with the title of Commander of the Order of São Miguel da Ala, the oldest Portuguese honorific order.
He is currently Head Consultant of SóCatering, Gertal, and Itau (Trivalor Group) and makes a weekly appearance on the program Praça da Alegria, on the channel RTP1.
