The star

It became one of the names of last week for being the first woman to win solo in Portugal, a Michelin star in the last 30 years, precisely the working time that tells in the area. A native of Maia, Marlene Vieira probably part of the last generation she can say without problems her first contact with cooking was at the age of 12, during the summer holidays. The father, carving at the time, had influence on the initial steps. In an interview with Luz, in December 2023, he remembered when he was going to deliver meat to several restaurants and like this moment, and a particular restaurant, marked it: «(…) Costa Brava was a super modern restaurant for height. Even the way the cooks dressed, they already wore coat and barrete. And the way they communicated… it had nothing to do with the one I saw in the other restaurants where it came in. This seemed like a family environment, but at the same time with order. This is what we call organized chaos. Because there is a lot to happen at the same time, but there is a military spirit there, in a way. Each is doing their task, and very rigorously. And continued: “There is a hierarchy of command there. And that attracted me, for some reason. It is as if I have done an X-ray and thought I belong to this world! ' And I asked my father to go there on summer holidays.
Rigor and organization have become main characteristics since childhood, even leading to the desire revealed to parents of dreaming of the troop.
But the path started was no longer marching.
Probably the distinction now achieved-considered to most bosses such as the top-has gained an even more special flavor as it comes after one of the most complicated moments for the sector, with the pandemic to reveal the largest proof of fire.
About this adverse period, in this same interview, I recalled: «(…) I thought, 'I have to work, it plays taking-away!' And in the midst of this I am lucky because, in one way or another, I am naughty. «I hardly look at negative things. There must always be a solution. I was born this way, it is my survival instinct, ”he said.
It was after the storm that it opened Marlene, the restaurant that has now just received the most desired award from the recognition menu.
It is this determination and recognized professional pride that leave open the possibility of dreaming of new stars.