Participant introduction

JANAINA RUEDA

Chef
Bar da Dona Onça, A Casa do Porco
Sao Paolo
Brazil
Janaina Rueda is one of the most important names in Brazilian cuisine. Her family project, the restaurant A Casa do Porco, is seventeenth on the list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and eleventh on the list of Latin America’s 50 Best. Rueda cooks with her husband and although they apply a serious approach to cuisine based on Brazilian culinary heritage, her philosophy is that good, healthy and quality food should be available to everyone. For this reason, Janaina was invited to join the “Cooks for Education” project in Sao Paolo. After volunteering at the project for four years, she managed to change the diet in public schools, replacing artificial, industrially processed food with homemade meals prepared with quality, natural ingredients. As part of her successful mission, she has taught other chefs how important it is to dedicate yourself to your calling and how to reap all the good opportunities it offers. Janaina continues to share her experiences throughout Latin America and Europe at numerous forums and culinary events. Her fondness for local Brazilian cuisine, inspired by family traditions, is reflected in the dishes offered at Bar da Donna Onça, which represent what is popularly called comfort food. Due to the promotion of local ingredients and Brazil’s gastro identity, and thanks to her significant contribution to the hospitality industry and commitment to the community, she won the American Express Icon Award 2020. Chef Janaina is extremely engaged in all aspects of her profession and is the co-author of the book ’50 Restaurantes com mais de 50’ about restaurants with more than half a century of tradition.