Hotels

Three Michelin-Starred Chef Nacho Manzano to run Porto Gaia Hotel’s culinary program

Tivoli Hotels & Resort’s Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia Hotel has announced an exclusive partnership with three-Michelin-starred Spanish chef, Nacho Manzano, who will oversee the luxury hotel’s dining establishments—1638 Restaurant & Wine Bar and Boa Vista Terrace. Chef Manzano brings his tried-and-true family traditions, revered legacy and rich culinary heritage of Northern Spain’s Asturias region to the hotel, which is scheduled to open next month in Portugal’s Douro Valley wine country.

Born in La Salgar, a small village in Asturias, Nacho Manzano began working in his family’s restaurant where he formed a deep connection with the flavors and traditions of his homeland while cooking his grandmother’s passed-down recipes. Years later, he transformed Casa Marcial, a simple local restaurant and family home, into one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Spain, which was awarded its third Michelin star in 2024.

Chef Manzano brings his unique culinary acumen to Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia’s 1638 Restaurant & Wine Bar by Nacho Manzano, where his tasting menu will showcase haute cuisine paired with award-winning Kopke wines. He will also oversee Boa Vista Terrace by Nacho Manzano, a casual sharing concept with panoramic views over the Douro River and the city of Porto, as well as banqueting menus for special occasions, weddings and corporate events.

1638 Restaurant & Wine Bar by Nacho Manzano

Offering a timeless atmosphere with stunning views of Porto, 1638 Restaurant & Wine Bar by Nacho Manzano will take guests on an incredible culinary adventure showcasing the purity of each ingredient, and a philosophy of minimal intervention and techniques, like steaming and low-temperature cooking, that honor and enhance the ingredients’ finest qualities. The signature tasting menu will change every two months and will be paired with exquisite wines from the Douro region, including renowned Kopke Port wines and Douro DOC still wines from Quinta de São Luiz and Quinta da Boavista. The restaurant proudly features the widest range of Kopke Ports, including some very rare and unique selections, such as the Kopke Harvest 1934. 

 

Boa Vista Terrace by Nacho Manzano

The relaxed Boa Vista Terrace combines all-day dining with attractive interior design and warm ambience, making it an ideal spot for a quick bite, a business lunch or dinner, or a casual meal with friends and family. The international menu draws its roots from the Atlantic and is destined to become one of the best places to dine in Porto.

Set to open in February, Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia will set a new standard for luxury hospitality in the northern region of Portugal, combining Tivoli Hotels & Resorts’ heritage of timeless travel with the storied history and legacy of Kopke, the oldest Port Wine House in the world, established in 1638. Older than Douro’s demarcated region and a leader in the production of tawny and white port, the Kopke Port wine cellar, adjoining the hotel, will be one of the most exclusive attractions where guests will enjoy an immersive experience in the world of the most recognized fortified wine. In addition to its restaurants, the hotel will also feature a pool bar and the Sky Bar Kopke, a rooftop that specializes in signature Port cocktails and captivating views of Porto. 

Unico 20°87° has picked its next celebrity chef for its in-house restaurant residency

UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya, a five-star, all-inclusive beachfront resort in the heart of the Yucatan peninsula, today announced illustrious Chef Gerardo Vázquez Lugo as its next celebrity chef-in-residence to helm the hotel’s flagship restaurant, Cueva Siete.

Since opening, Cueva Siete has become a vibrant hub of rotating celebrity chefs who interpret the region’s cuisine with signature techniques, locally sourced ingredients, and unique flavors. Under Chef Gerardo, Cueva Siete will undergo a culinary renaissance, bringing distinctive new dishes and a fresh perspective to every table.

Since its inception, the Chef-in-Residence program at UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya has hosted numerous master chefs to oversee the entire restaurant for two full years, transforming the experience and ensuring a refreshed experience for returning visitors. The resident chef is granted full creative control of Cueva Siete’s menu and kitchen in order to showcase their expertise and signature specialties.

 

“I am thrilled to officially be part of the Chef-in-Residence program at UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya. My predecessors, Chef Lula Martin Del Campo, Chef Xavier Perez Stone, and Chef Christian Bravo have truly laid a remarkable foundation and exceptionally high standard for the program,” said Chef Gerardo. “I’m most looking forward to seeing hotel guests experience my menu with unique flavors and hopefully, have them coming back for seconds.”

About Chef Lugo

Chef Lugo brings more than 25 years of experience to Cueva Siete, with a focus on fresh, local, seasonal ingredients and responsible sourcing from regional farmers and growers.

He is currently Executive Chef at the renowned Nicos, named among Latin’s America’s 50 Best Restaurants for 10 consecutive years, and a recipient of the prestigious Diners Club Lifetime Achievement Award. Chef Gerardo has helmed exceptional kitchens across the globe, including Le Bristol in Paris, Las Rosas Restaurant in Turin, Imperial Hotel Tokyo, and numerous others. He serves as a mentor to Young Chefs S.Pellegrino, and also appeared as a judge on the first edition of Netflix series Iron Chef Mexico.

Chef Gerardo’s menu at Cueva Siete will feature traditional Yucatan dishes, including Xe’ek, a fresh citrus salad and Salbut Dzik, a modern take on a pulled protein salbute. The menu will dive into local flavors and ingredients like jicama, plantain, purslane and achiote.

With the launch of this latest culinary initiative, UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya further solidifies its reputation as a top culinary destination for thoughtfully prepared, authentic cuisine defined by the unique tastes, textures, and aromas of Mexico’s rich culinary heritage.

For more information, visit http://www.unicohotelrivieramaya.com.